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The Golden Bull (1356)

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Chapter 3
On the order of precedence among the Archbishops of Trier, Cologne, and Mainz

[Summary: Regulates the relations between the spiritual electors in order to "avoid all occasions for conflict and suspicion," specifically which elector shall sit where relative to the Emperor when they are together.]


Chapter 4
On the electors in general

We also decree, that from now on whenever a Diet is held, at each meeting, whether in council or at meals, where the Emperor takes place, that to the right of the Emperor, after the Archbishop of either Mainz or Cologne, [ . . . ] shall sit the King of Bohemia, because he is a crowned and anointed king. And next shall sit the Elector Palatine. On the left, after the other of the two Archbishops shall sit the Duke of Saxony, and after him the Margrave of Brandenburg.

[Summary: The Archbishop of Mainz shall have the power to call the electors together whenever there is no Emperor, and he shall ask them for their votes in the following sequence: Trier, Cologne, Bohemia, Palatinate, Saxony, Brandenburg. When this has been done, his fellow electors shall ask the Archbishop what his opinion and vote is. Further ceremonial offices of the electors at a Diet are described.]


Chapter 5
On the rights of the Elector Palatine and also of the Duke of Saxony

[Summary: The Elector Palatine shall be vicar in the Rhineland and Swabia when there is no Emperor. In regions of Saxon law, this function shall be carried out by the Duke of Saxony. Complaints against the Emperor shall be heard before the Elector Palatine, but only at a Diet.]


Chapter 6
On the electors in comparison with other, ordinary princes

[Summary: No other lord shall ever take precedence before the electors at a Diet; and in particular, the King of Bohemia shall have precedence before any other king who attends.]


Chapter 7
On the succession of the electors

[Summary: The dangers of disunity and the true, important role of the electors are again described. To avoid conflict among the sons of electors over their vote, which might lead to delays dangerous to the common good, it is decreed that after the death of an elector, his vote, privileges and powers shall go to his first-born legitimate son of the secular estate, or if he is dead to his first-born legitimate son. And if the first son dies without an heir, the descent goes to his next-oldest brother, etc. If the heir is underage, that is under 18, his eldest uncle in the male line should be his guardian and exercise his vote. If an electorate is left without heir, the Emperor may enfeoff it without damage to its privileges (except for the Kingdom of Bohemia, whose inhabitants have the privilege of electing a king if the throne becomes vacant without heirs).]

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