full power to choose him that should be Emperor to which election of theirs it should be ordained that euerybody of dutie should be bound foorthwith to agree consent And how much lesse the number of these electors should be so much the more easily without controuersie they should agree in the election It seemed also to his Maiestie a matter reasonable that such persons as should haue the choise of the Emperor should be chosen from among the chiefe officers of the Empire forasmuch as they by reason of the daily busines and affaires they vsed to haue about matters of the Empire were men very meete best experienced to know what belonged to the Empire the state thereof and what manner of man he had need to be that should to that place authoritie be elected so that iustice might the better be administred the Imperial state better vpholden the commonweale better prouided for When this sacred and profitable counsaile and opinion of the Emperors maiestie was propounded immediatly the Princes and potentates of the Empyre concluded according as his maiestie had sayde with one consent and opinion And in conclusion it was ordained that onlye seuen persons should haue their voices and full power to choose the Emperour namely the three great Chauncellors of the Empire in the country of Germany that is the Archbishop of Mentz great ChaÌ„celor of Germany the Archbishop of Treuers great Chancellor of the prouinces beyond Rheine called the Low countries the Archbishop of Collen great Chauncellor of Italie and these are the ecclesiasticall persons that be Electors There were appointed with these the Count Palatine of Rheine great Steward of the Empire the Duke of Saxonie great Marshall of the Empyre the Marquesse of Brandenburg great Chamberlaine of the Empire the King of Bohemia theÌ„ but Duke great Secretarie of the Empyre this King was not in those dayes annointed and crowned as King but had only the title of Duke And these were the other foure Electors the Duke of Bohemia being put in after when a controuersie had risen about the election and could not be decyded by reason of the equalitie of number three holding one way and three another way he was added to make alwaies the one side greater This decree was made in the yeere of our Lord 1001. and the first Emperor that was elected by the seuen Electors was Henry that was canonized for a saint being the first founder of the Bishoprick of Bamberg There was also in the said councel or parlament established many other lawes for certaine men appointed Officers to the Empyre and lands therto allotted as next vnto the seuen Electors were ordained foure Dukes of the Empyre foure Earles of Prouinces called Lant-graues foure Marquesses foure Burgraues foure Earles martiall foure Counties foure citties foure Marshalls foure free Barons foure knights foure Townes foure Country-farmers foure Casals foure Lords in Italy foure Abbeies the Abots of which were Princes foure Mounts foure Burrough Townes foure Hunts-men foure Officers of the Dukedome of Sweuia foure seruants of the Empyre Yet these ordinaunces of the Empyre haue many times changed and some order haue since beene added and some taken away according as time and opportunitie required and there haue beene added more Earledomes Earles also Dukedomes other dignities and of Earledomes haue beene made Dukedomes and againe of Dukedomes Earledomes Moreouer the names of many Dukedomes haue beene lost by reason of men that possessed them dying without heires as hath come to passe by the Dukedome of Sweuia the Dukedome of Impurg the Dukedome of Zaring and the Dukedome of Iioytland Within three hundred yeares these Potentates heerafter named haue been instituted and established according to their degrees and dignities in their Offices as an ornament of the Empyre Dukes 4. Branswich Bauier Sweuia Orhue Lantgraues 4. Thuring Hessia Liehtenberg â—allasia Marquesses 4 Misnia Morania Badense Brandenburgh Burgraues 4 Mardenburg Renech Norimberg â—tronburg Earles 4 Cleue Squarcemburg Goricia Souoya Counts martiall 4 Flaunders Tyroll Aldenburg Ferrethi Marshalls 4 Bappenheim Gulch Meisen Frustingen Free Barons 4 Limpurg Thusuis Westerburg Aldenvalden Knightes 4 Audlay Meldingen Strondech Fronsberg Free Cittie 4 Augusta Aquisgraue Maets Lubech Townes 4 Bamberg Vlme Haghnaun Sheltzstat Farmers or Peasants 4 Collen Râ—tisbone Constance Saltzpur Casals 4 Ingelheim Altdorf Lietchtenanu Dechendorf Lords of Italy 4 Millain Scala Padoua Mirandola Abbats Princes 4 Fulda Campidonia Maidenburgen Murbach Mountes 4 Munsterberg Fridberg of Verdanu Heidelberg Norinberg Burghes of the Empyre 4 Aldenburgh Maidenburg Rottenberg Mechelburg Hunters of the Empyâ—e 4 Hurne Vrach Sconburg Metz by Chura Officers of the Duke of Sweuia 4 Steward of walpurg Secretarie of Rhadach Marshal of March dorf Chamberlaine of Cenuat Seruants of the Empire 4 Waldech Pulchen Arnsperg Rabnaun It is to be vnderstood that after the death of Charlemaigne Germanie increased wonderfully in buildings Citties Castles Fortes Townes and Villages so that woods and desert places being made plaine and tylled were brought to be both pleasant and profitable to the vse of men men also multiplying there exceedinglye And the said Charles and other Emperours after him for the beautifying of Germanie priuileged the chiefe Citties with Bishoprickes and gaue them great revennues and possessions and made them princes and feodataries of the Empire Furthermore the Emperors made by succession many princes in Germanie and deuided the Land among them according to the place and deserts of euery one in regarde of the Empire but alwayes it was reserued that the Citties Imperiall should be free from all Taxes to be due vnto any other princes or seruice to any but they were alwayes reserued in libertye and in the Emperors hands and for more securitye the Emperors priuileged them and made them free with many priuileges according to their Customes so as those priuileged Citties were not only called Citties of the Empire but free and great franchised Citties meaning thereby that they were in obedience to the Empire of Rome and in the societie thereof And by example of these free Lands places Ecclesiasticall princes other seculer Lords began more and more to make and inlarge Citties Castles and many worthie buildings in such sort that in short time they exceeded in beautifying in ciuill gouernment in faire shew riches and strength any whatsoeuer free Citties of the Empire These be the Ecclesiasticall princes and Bishops of the Empyre Magunce Treuers Collen Salzpurg Herbipolis Bamberg Lutich Vormatia Spire Argentine Churie Auguste Trent Brissinon Breme Bissanzon Rhige Eystet Constance Hildesnuense Ratzenburg Freizing Ossenburg Munster Ratisbone Patauia Basile Also the great Maister of Prussia of the dutch order the Abbots of Fulda of Hirfeild of Murbach of Campidonias of Maidenburg and other These are the free Citties of the Empire that were in olde time of which some are now by diuers wayes alyenated from the Empire They were all in time past 95. Aquisgraue Alen * Antwerp Augusta * Basile a canton of
Switzers * Berne a canton of Switzers * Bernehein Biberach * Bisanzon * Bon Perch Buchorne Bopfingen Campein * Chura vnder the Grisons Collen Colmarie * Canstance * Deuenter Doctinured Dinchen spisel * Durche Durcheim Eger Esford Esling Francford Menofin Francford Oderafni Fridberg in Werdan * Friburg in Brisgone Chelu Husen Genge Gotting in Saxonie * Groining in Friseland Gniunde Goslarie in Saxonie Hagenowe Halla in Sweuia Halla in Saxonie Haâ—lprune Hamborow Heidesfert Isna * Ingelheim in the Countie palatine Kamffpeiren Kaysersperg * Kaysers lanterne in the Countie palatine Kampidonia Landona Lindo Lukires Lubeck * Lucerne a canton of Switzers Luneburg Maidenburg Memming Metz. Magunce Mulhausen in Thuring Mulhausen in Sugonie Northhausen in Thuring Norimberg * Nenmage of the Duchie of Geldre Nerling Oderheim Obernesheim Offenburg * Oppenheim in the Countie palatine of Rheine Perfullendor Rauenspurge Ratisbone Rottenburg at Tamberfin Roshim Rotweil Rentling * Saint Gall canto of Switzers * SchafhuseÌ„ canto of Switzers Schlestat * Solturne canton of Switzers Strasburg Argentine Spire Schunfurt Treuers Vbirling Vlme Wange Werdte by Danubie Wesel by Rheine * Wesel in Cleue Welzfflay in Hessia Weyl in Sweuia Wenisenburg Wimpfon Wormatia Wuisheim Zurich of Switzers Among these cities abouenamed there are some that beare rule of themselues and yeeld no odebience to the Empire as those that are in Heluetia in the possession of the Switzers and those are marked with a starre on the margine and so are those that haue been pawned to Princes by the Emperors at such times as they stood in need of money Like as it came to passe in the yere of our Lord 1230 that King William of Holland pawned the Cittie of Newmaga to the Earle of Gelderland for 21000. markes of money Likewise did King Robert the Count Palatine who pawned to his sonne the Count Palatine Oppenheim and Ingelheim and Keyserlawterne for 100000. Gilders and this was in the yere 1402. notwithstanding some saye it came to passe after this sort after that Charles the fourth was elected Emperour he sought and with great importunitie laboured with the Princes that they would choose for Emperor his sonne Wenceslaus and for to get the good will of the electors he promised to giue them a great summe of money as saieth Aeneas Siluius defusedly in his historie of Bohemia He promised to euery one of the electors a hundred thousand florines assuring the payment of the same by letting them take possession and giuing them certaine places because he was not otherwise able to satisfie them with ready money and so to the Count Palatine for his share fell the aforesaid three Citties of the Empire This Emperour Charles the fourth did most greatly hynder the Empire for whatsoeuer treasure he could get and gather he caried all into Bohemia to enrich that kingdom that was his inheritance Wenceslaus also sonne to Charles the fourth after hee had obtayned the Empire which he held 22. yeres did no lesse hynder the Empire than his father had hee tooke much money of the Prince of Millain who was then a subiect and officer of the Empire in Italie for that money he stalled him as Duke in his owne right of Millain and the Appertinances thereof loosing yerely from the Empire the chiefe part that before it held in Italy and the like hee did with some other Citties of Italie And the like did Lewis of Bauaria making free certaine Citties in Lombardie for money how be it some will haue that it was Robert the Emperor and not Lewis Let it be as it will It is well knowen how the Egles feathers haue been plucked away and how euery one hath endeuored to get for himselfe what he could by spoiling the Empire In the end the aboue named Wenceslaus for his greedy couetousnes and vnfitte behauiours and lewd dooings thus spoyling the Empire was deposed and depriued from the Imperiall dignitie by the Electors with the consent of all the other Princes and potentates and by the Bishop of Rome and with the consent and knowledge of all in Germany And for the publishing of this senteÌ„ce there was made a iudgement seate in the open feeldes or plaine of Brubach neare to the riuer Rhein in the bishopprick of Treuers and all the Empire being gathered togither in the year of our Lord 1400. on the twentith day of the moneth of August vpon which seate of iudgement it was openly declared to all them of the Empire how that Wenceslaus was dismissed and depriued quite ftom his Imperiall maiestie which was published in manner following Wee John Archbishop of Magunce prince Elector and chiefe Chancellor of the Empire in the Countrie of Germanie in the name of all the other princes Electors Dukes Lantgraues Earles Lords Barons and other Potentates of the Empire for because of many greeuous annoyances and dangers to be auoyded and special matters of weight concerning the whole Empire doo dismisse renounce and depriue with common consent and an aduised iudgement Wenceslaus as a negligent vnprofitable and vnworthie Emperor of the sacred Romane Empire We do therefore spoyle and disgrade him from all degrees dignities honors and high estates as in such a calling and maiestie were due vnto him and we do openly declare him in presence of all the princes Barons and Potentates of the Empire as a prophane man and vnworthie of such honor dignitie and we charge euery man of whatsoeuer degree or calling he be that from hencefoorth he must not yeeld him obedience of commaundment nor fee or taxe nor any other bounden dutie belonging to an Emperor And we forbid euery man to pay or yeeld him any maner tribute dutie or forfaiture to be claimed by law or couenant or any fine to the Empire appertaining But we will and commaund that all such rents and duties be kept vntill that God shall giue vs grace to choose an Emperor that may bee beneficiall to the whole Empire and to the Christian common weale And J cease to speake how often and with what exhortations he hath beene admonished and reprooued by the Electors both priuately and openly by euery one of our Order to the end he would haue left off his misdemeanors and euill behauiours and to haue vsed him selfe as was fit for one of his calling but all hath beene in vaine Now for to returne to the ordering of the Empyre you must vnderstand that the Emperor Lewis of Bauare assembled a generall councell at Francford in which assemblie it was by the princes ordained that any Emperor who had the more part of the Electors voices and should be by the greater part created Emperor hee should forthwith haue full power to reigne and rule as Emperor though hee were not confirmed by the Pope as before the vse had been Neither should it consist in the will of the Pope to allow or disalow of him any more at his pleasure for that papall authoritie to make or confirme Emperors is not due by any law of God nor by the
Vicount of Misinie 12 30 Strangers Duke of Masia 12 135 Gharles Duke of Sabandia 60 277 Prince of Stahlie 30 94 Abbots and Prelates Of Fulda 17 15 Herchfeld 2 9 Kempten 5 20 Reichnaw 2 4 Gouernor of Wissenburg 2 14 Saint Gallense 2 13 Salfelde 2 13 Elwing 5 18 Doz-Tousch-mester 20 18 Doz master of Saint Ionhs 10 30 Weingozt 7 18 Salmansweirel 7 77 Murbach 6 19 Walkennedle 2 2 Schuter 2 12 Weissen or Munderen 2 14 Saint Blase 4 18  251 962 Maulbrwne 5 22 Cozvefen with the Citie Hoxere 3 10 Schneweissendweid 2 14 Ritershans 2 10 Stenie 0 20 Schalfhusie 4 24 Weildsauht 0 24 Anisteidel 3 22 Regenburch 2 10 Ochanhanse 4 20 Gouernor of Steltz 1 3 Abbot of Saint Giles at Norimberg 1 7 Abbot of Maximies 3 22 Humolthanse 2 9 Regenhanse 2 10 Saint Iohns in Danowdale 1 4 Gengenbanchen 1 3 Kombrimin 1 10 Reiden 1 10 Marchtaile 2 5 S. Peters in Blackwood in Herine 1 10 Gouernor of Odenheim 1 7 Stabel 2 20 Disside 1 10 Reichanse 3 13 Krentzling 2 9  54 314 Elihing 4 20 Iesine 0 14 Blankele 2 9 Iemine 1 4 Pfefferse 1 4 S. Iohns 1 10 Petershanse of Constance 0 6 Pfrume 1 13 Camberg 1 13 Kaisheim 4 64 S. Ieromes of Ratisbone 2 18 Gouernor of Buchtolgnade 2 20 Monasteries in Saint Gregories vale 1 4 Mimchrode 1 8 S. Cornelius Church 4 25 Werden in Westphalie 2 6 Psemine in the Bishoprick of Treuers 4 30 Vrsbach 0 10 Ectemarch 2 18 Abbeyes of Monkes and Nunnes Coneldelburg with the Cittie 2 16 Essen with the Cittie 2 13 Lower Church of Ratisbone 2 6 Vpper Church there 0 6  39 34 Herwerd 0 6 Kauffing 1 10 Lindane 0 5 Gringrodt 1 7 Buchaw 2 6 Roidenminster 1 4 Heppach 0 15 Guttendall 0 5 Bundt 0 3 Prouinces Confluence 4 20 Assace 3 13 Austria 3 13 Etsech 3 13 Earldomes and Baronies Vlrike earle of Helfelstenie 2 0 Owner of Velnie 1 4 Owner of Wirtenburg as Earle of 8 45 Tumsterburg and Charles earle of Zollerie 4 18 Earle of Lupsen   Earle of Montford 3 20 Earle of Furstenburg 6 30 Baron of Zmimet 2 9 Owners of Freiburg 0 5 Baron of Stemisling 2 3  46 244 Gerard Earle of Gundesfling 2 2 William Earle of Elerstenie 0 4 Barons of Gerolyeke 1 2 Earles of Deting 8 45 Barons of Rapostein 4 35 Barons of Staffen and Ernesselfe 3 0 Henry Stuffin earle of Stuffie 2 6 Owner of Hosinkoingsperg 2 9 Baron Hoenfelse Renpolykrie 2 6 Earles of Stulie 2 9 Earles of Hockzotyre 6 20 Baron of Brandise 1 6 Lord of Waldburg Sumenburg 12 45 Wolfgang Earle of Castile 1 4 Michael earle of Wertheim 5 29 Philip earle of Rinedk 2 10 Albert and Gerard earles of Holenloch 6 30 Earle of Wolfeheil 1 4 Bishop of Wirtzburg for Kingelsperg 2 10 Barons of Limberg 2 7 Counties of Erbach 2 8 William Baron of Limpurg 3 10 Frederick earle of Schwartezenburg 1 3 Earle of Leynning 2 9 Earle of Hannonie 10 10 Philip of Hannonie Baron of Lichrenburg 6 22 Earle of Nastonie Brede Dilinger 30 136 Philip earle of Nasson Sarbruxken 6 30 Iohn of Nasson and Beilstein 1 2 Philip earle of Nasson Sarbruck and Welberch 6 30 Lewis earle of Stelberg Kuningstein and Baron of Epstein 4 20 Earle Henburg the higher 6 24 â—â—rle Henburg the lower 2 8 Earle Henburg the lower 2 8 Earle Vierneberg 2 4 Baron of Kinecksten Fâ—enike 1 3 Friderike Renard E. of Solm 4 24 Bernard Earle of Solme 4 8 Earle of Mete 4 12 Earle of Rhene 4 12 Baron of Arusperge 4 27 Rich. Earle of Eborstein and Falkinstein 2 4 Philip of Eborstain and Ruxing his heire 1 1 Baron of Winiberg 1 0 Earle of Newmarke Morsie 2 4 Earle of Herme 2 8 Earle of Salnise 4 16 Richard Earle of Richen 6 26 Earle of Tenge 1 12 Earle of Vapinie 3 12 Earle of Hardeck 3 11  78 446 Earle of Hohenstein 1 0 Ernestus Earle of Hohenstein 4 18 Barons of Welkenstein 4 34 Earles of Schemberg GemaÌ„ 6 26 Earles of Stelburg 4 20 Baron of Benhirg 2 2 Earle of Barb and Malingen 1 2 Earle of Gluchen 3 13 Earles Iohn Henrie of Schwartzenburg 2 0 Gurter of Scwartzenburg with Iohns heire 12 45 Baron of Geward 4 20 Baron of Blesse 1 3 Earle of Wilden and Baron Ringtheim 6 12 Earle of Leostine 2 9 Earle Rheuistein and Rhegistein 2 0 All the Earles of Frise 20 135 Earle of East Frise 6 30 Earles of Lippe 4 18 Earle of Oldenburg 8 30 Earles of Heien 2 8 Earles of Leimig Easterbuarg 2 4 Earle of Waldecke 4 18 Barons of Lazensteim 2 2 Earles of Disshohen 1 4 Barons of Stenifort 1 4 Earles of Wanfield 1 45  10 504 Earle of Gendt 120 20 Earle of Brinckhorst 6 20 Earle of Witgenstein 6 4 Earle of Spigelberg 1 8 Conrade Earle of Degeluburg 2 10 Baron of Winsdorf 3 1 Earle of Ottenberg 1 0 Earle of Reitenberg 2 0 Ladislaus Earle of Haghe 6 10 Baron of Rheismick 4 2 Oswald Earle of Bergen 2 10 Earle of Salme 8 9 Barons of Falkenstein 2 3 Barons of Schonberg 1 10 Barons of Degenberg 4 7 Earle of Someranflie 2 0 Gerard and Arnold Earles of Mandorscheiden 2 10 Earle of Riferscheiden 2 2 Earle of Egnunâ—â—cie and Helstun 10 45 Barons of Bergen and Wallia 10 67 Barons of Hewen 1 4 Barons of Windelfelse 1 2 Baron Schenckt in Tucebaih 1 2 Conrade Earle of Tubing 1 1 Owner of Blankenberg Westein 6 25 Barons of Bogenderff 0 10 Iohn Earle of Manderscheiden 0 4  86 256 Iohn and Iames Barons of Konngsecken and Allendroste 2 16 Baron of Eckenberg 0 5 Barons of Mindeline 4 14 Barons of Mersburg 4 20 Barons of Kenissie 1 4 Barons of Pyrmentie 1 4 Barons of Wolfenstemie 2 4 Knights of Sleskindberg 10 45 Barons of Fleckinstenie 3 6 Baron of Witterse 1 4 Cities Imperiall Ratisboone 10 50 Noremberg 40 250 Haidensteni and Alersperg 5 7 Rotenburg by Fanberin 10 65 Wissenburg in Norike 3 16 Werd of Swenia 3 30 Windeâ—heimie 4 30 Scheiwenifort 4 30 Wimpâ—eme 2 14 Hailprune 4 40 Hale of Sweuia 10 80 Norldling 5 50 Dinkelspiihel 4 40 Vlme 25 150 Augusta 30 200 Greng 1 12  192 1560 Bepsing 0 6 Alene â— 16 Gemunde 3 35 Esling 5 4 Rentling 3 38 Weile 1 12 Psuuendorff 2 20 Kanfburne 2 34 Vberhing 6 60 Wangene 2 14 Isne 2 14 Lenkurch 1 14 Menning 8 50 Kemten 3 30 Buchorne 0 5 Lindaw 3 40 Rauenspurge 3 40 Biborach 4 46 Constance 3 50 Basile 10 180 Argentine 25 150 Keiserspurg 2 15 Colmarie 4 30 Celestade 4 24 Munise in Alsatria 6 27 Rotweile 3 61 Hagenoe 6 30 Weistenburg of Alsaria Wasgarle 2 22  110 1037 Oberlihenheim 2 14 Roshemie 1 31 Spire 3 60 Wormes 3 60 Frankford 20 140 Fridberg 0 16 Geluhuse 2 15 Fritilaer 0 10 Collen 25 200 Aquisgraue 7 30 Mediomatrice 25 150 Tulle 5 15 Verdun 5 25 Offenburg 0 30 Laudamie 2 18 Gengenbach 0 15 Zelle 0 10 Schalhuse 7 45 Kanâ—fman Sarbruck 2 9 Bizance or Veruncie 7 50 Lubeck 21 177 Hamburg 20 120 Dortmund 7 30 Lower Wesel 5 50 Mulhuse of Thuring 0 40 Nordhuse 0 30 Iosser 0 120 Soist 20 120 Braskele 2 6  168 1618 Warburg 3 13 Lengau 2 12 Furckenhemie 6 5 Venden 0 15 Monastery in Saint Gregories valley 0 12 Thewerne 0 3 Heruerden 1 15 Camerich 2 18 Dinciberg 2 18 Dantisk 0 165 Elbing 0 82 Saint Galles 0 57 Daihaw at the first lake 0 2 The summe of all the horsemen is three thousand fiue hundred and eleuene of the footmen seuenteene thousand foure hundreth and sixteene The summe of the whole army so yerely to be in a readines is twenty thousand nine hundred twenty and seauen If they faile of thus setting foorth souldiers yeerely they giue for euery horseman twelue florines of Rhene and for euerye footeman foure So when none are set out against the Turke there is giuen of florines yeerely 1236222. which in sterling shillings is 23179. li. 6. s. 6. d. Finis Laus Deo