The end of Frisian freedom by its confirmation: The Frisian Imperial Privilege of Emperor Maximilian I and its background. Part I: The first charters

Abstract

The article discusses the history of the only ratified charter that confirmed the so-called Charles Privilege that would have enacted Frisian freedom (a presumably thirteenth-century falsum). This charter was issued by Roman King Maximilian I on 23 September 1493 on request of representatives from the West Frisian territories. This article discusses the background of this privilege. It gives a brief overview of the development of Frisian liberty in its relation to Frisian history. Then the so-called Magnus Legend, being connected with Frisian freedom, is discussed. It discusses briefly the alleged privilege of Charlemagne and the Frisian privileges of Roman King and Count of Holland William II (1248) and the Emperor Sigismund (1417). A sequel of this article is planned for publication in the next issue of Scandinavian Philology. In that paper, a more closely look will be given at Maximilian’s privilege, after which Frisian freedom ended in 1498 for nearly 450 years. It will obtain as well a complete edition of the Latin text of the charter and its English translation.