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
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
Prince-dome now holden by George Ernestus after whose death it commeth to the Dukes of Saxonie called Viuarij because they hold in Turing a Pallace called Viuaria gi-them by the Emperor Charles the fift Castellane the Lords and Gouernours of which are Conradus and George bretheren Hoentoie gouerned by Wolfgang Phillip and Frederick bretheren and Eberad their Cosin germaine Wertherne which after the death of Michael the last came by couenaunt to Lodouike and Roingst and the heires his sonnes in law Rieneke which twentie years agoe after the death of Phillip the last came for the most parte to the Archbishop of Mentz by reason of fee part to Count Ersbach by consent of the Counte Palatine part to Countie Isenburg by consent of Bishop of Wyrtzburg in Phillips life Erparch vnder the possession of George Iohn and Counte Eberhard Baronies Schwartzburg Limperg Forrests of king Edmiriald betwene Tuban Nicre and the riuer Maene which are partly vnder the Archbishop of Mentz partly vnder the Lordship of the Countie Palatine Albeit many of them belong also to Wertemberg And therto belong also the Countie of Erpach The Forrest of Spessart bounded with the riuers Morne Synna and Cynthie or Rintzey whereto are adioyning Aschalfenburg wherein dwelleth the Archbishop of Mentz and to this belongeth almost all the Countie of Reyme Roenia which belongeth partly to the Bishop of Wirtzburg and the Abbot of Fulda partely to the Earle Henneburg Buconia which belongeth to the Lantgraue of Hessia Abbot of Fulda for the moste parte but especially the towne Fulda Coburg that hath the commaunding of twentie three Castles it was sometimes vnder the iurisdiction of Heneburg but now it hath for many yeares been holden by the Dukes of Saxonie Hilly Boetia or Voitland vnto the toppes of Pinie mount and Botruus partly vnder the Marquesses of Brandeburg George and Frederike and the Burgraues of Norimberg and partly vnder the Bishop of Babeberg Cheif townes of the vpper Countie Palatine Amberg Newmerkt Waldsasse sometime an Abbacie or moste rich Lordship The lower Countie Palatine in which are Heidelberg the seat of the Elector the Counte Palatine and other lesse Townes Wedderaw the partes of which are Earldomes Hâ—mian Buding called Isenburg Sulme Konisten Diesen Baronies Mnitzenburg Epistin Citties Imperiall Francford Fridberg Gelhus The Forrest Hesperia with parts therof Earldomes Nassamie Catimelihors Seyne Witgenstry Waldeccie Weden A Cittie of the Empyre Wettiflaw the lesse Hessia all which contein Earledomes Zigenheim the Lantgraues of Hessia Niddan Citties Cassel the seate of Lantgraue William Marpurg where is an Vniuersity the seat of Lantgraue Lodouike Gisen Zigenheim most strong Townes Fridestar Omeburg Being vnder the iurisdiction of Menta Turing with the parts therof Bishoprick Maunburg Earledomes Schwartzburg Gleishen Brickling Baronies Sundershus vnder Schwartzburg Heildring vnder Mansfield Imperiall Norhus Muthus Cittie 's not Imperiall Erford vnder the bishop of Madgeburg hauing an Vniuersitie Igenhaim Geecha Vineyards of the soÌ„nes of the Duke of Saxonie Salfeild Naoburg Iene where is an Vniuersitie this belongeth to Iohn William Iames and Fredrick sonnes of the Duke of Saxonie Sangerhus vnder the Elector bishop of Augusta Frankenhus vnder Schwartzburg Eyfeild being vnder the bishop of Mentz The Forrest Hercinia being partly Earledomes partly Baronies Mansfield Stolberg Hohustein Regenshein Cerfurt Weinugerod The north conteining VVestphalâ—al between Rheine and VVisurg Cleue land beyond the Rheine The Countie of Zutphen The country beyond Sissenan All Friseland All Saxonie betweene Wissurg and Albinu Bishopricks Monasteriensis Padeuorne Osnabrug Minden Dukedomes Bergen vnder the Duke of Cleue Angria or Angrinaria vnder the Bishop of ColeÌ„ Earledomes Rauenspurg ioynning to the DukedoÌ„e of Bergen Marchian ioyning to the Dukedome of Cleue Brutheim Terkreilburg lying by Bentheim Sleyword lying by Bentheim Lyppian layed to Lippan by mariage Spiegelburg layed to Lippan by mariage Pimountane layed to Lippan by mariage VVestphalia Rethberg Oldenburg Delmenheist These are therto adioyned Of VVestphalia most famous Citties Munster or Minegard Padeborne Osnaburg Minda Tremona Sucat Hernard Hamele The residue are deuoured vp ether by Bishops or princes adioyning most famous Abbies Corbey a towne of princely state Assend or Nunnes countesses and others The most famous citties of Cleue beyond Rheine Tertoburg Dumbach VVesel These contend with the Duke touching Imperiall right Ressium Amerike The Earledome of Zudfarie of Gelderland conioyned vnder the Lordship of Iohn brother to Nassaw The Countrie beyond Sisselane cheif Cities wherof are Deuenter Snole Campene Yet these by Charles the fift were layed to other iurisdictions of the low-countries All Frisel and the Countries wherof are East-Frisland West Frise Groining the midst of them Cheif of which are Sinden Maricone Sranestare Laward Groning a cittie and Earledome Archbishoprickes Magdeburg Sreme Bishopricks Halberstate Hildesteim Veiden An olde Marquessedome called in times past Soltnadlense coÌ„teining 5 Citties now vnder Marques of Brandeburg Soltwadele Stendale Tangermond Gardelbe Osterwy Earledomes Ascania or Aischercall Briburg Schowenburg Hoian vnder Anhault Staden vnder the Archbishop of Breme Citties 1 Maidenburg 2 Hallis the rich 3 Halherst 4 Brundswick 5 Goslane met allis diues 6 Gicting 7 Hannonere 8 Hildensheim 9 Munda Apostatae Erui the Duke of Brund-swickes seat Lâ—â—â—â—burg a free Cittie Saledines The â—â—ll and 〈◊〉 of William Duke of Luneburg Hâ—â—burg Duke Othoes the cosin germaine to VVilliam Duke of Luneburg Gothor the 〈◊〉 of Henry brother to the Duke of Luneburg Wolfenbentel the seate of Iulius Duke of Breme Heilmstadâ— with a Vniuersitie belonging to Iulius Dâ—â—â—… of Breme The elder The south pâ—â—â— which is stretched out beyond Nabus Sala to the east-ward eueÌ„ vnto the borders of Hungarie and Polone the lesse The North which on the back part is bounded with the south the residue is enclosed with the riuer Albis Polone the greater the Balthik sea The south part hath The kingdome of Bohemia in which is the Archbishopricke of Prage Morauia a Marquessedome in which is the Archbishoprick of Chunixe 〈◊〉 a Marquessedome sometime enriched with many Earledomes with Banor and other South Countries lying on the left hand of the riuer Danow Lusâ—tia vnder Bohemia Silesia sometime vnder Polone but now vnder Bohemia Misâ—â—a hath Bishopricks Misne Moâ—…burg citties Lipha where is an vniuersitie Diâ—sâ—â— the see of the bishop of Augusta Miâ—â—tia Tâ—â—…ga sometime the seat of the Ancestors of Elector Frederick Cygnea Zurkall Fâ—â—bâ—rg â—â—â—perg Maneberg Schweberg Lusatia hath Budissine or Bâ—â—dsin 〈◊〉 or Borâ—iâ—a Câ—â—â—â—iâ—â— or Câ—â—iâ—â—h 〈◊〉 Lamberie Lubun lesse townes Luke Gâ—â—â— Gâ—â—thâ—â— Hayme or Hâ—â—â— Silesia hath the vpper Dukedomes diuersly diuided Teschine Olesnike Ratisbein Opelien Segerdorf Byegen Lignike Monsterburg Sindnierne A Bishopricke Vratistaw Vratistane Nissa the see of bishop Vratistaw the cheif Citties Oppotia Briga Lignike belonging to the Duke of Lignice his bretheren and nephewes The lower Dukedomes brought froÌ„ Gloâ—â—ngie Sarge Câ—â—sne Beeing vnder Elector of Brandeburg lesser citties Glâ—sgonike vnder the King of Bohemia Fridestade Crosna vnder the Elector of Brandeburg 〈◊〉