Abstract
The Privilegium maius is one of the most famous and spectacular forgeries in medieval Europe. It is a set of charters made in the 14th century upon commitment by Duke Rudolf IV, a member of the Habsburg family, to elevate the rank and the prestige of his family. These five charters, now kept at the Österreichisches Staatsarchiv in Vienna, have been subjected to a thorough interdisciplinary study in order to shed light on its controversial story. The charters are composed of pergamenaceous documents bound to wax seals with coloured textile threads. The present contribution concerns the characterisation of the inks used for writing and of the dyes used to colour to the threads: Are they compatible with the presumed age of the charters? Though showing only a part of the whole story of the charters, dyes analysis could contribute in assessing their complex history from manufacturing to nowadays. The dyes were characterised with non-invasive in situ measurements by means of fibre optic (FORS) and with micro-invasive measurements by means of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. The results showed that the threads of four of the charters (three dyed with madder, one with orchil) were apparently coloured at different dyeing stages, then re-dyed in the 19–20th century.
Highlights
IntroductionIt is a set of five pergamenaceous charters dating to the 14th century AD with a highly controversial story
The History of the Privilegium MaiusThe Privilegium maius is one of the most famous and most spectacular forgeries in medievalEurope
The charters of the Privilegium maius and the complementary documents contain only black inks
Summary
It is a set of five pergamenaceous charters dating to the 14th century AD with a highly controversial story. In 1156, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick I called Barbarossa issued the Privilegium minus, a charter with a decree that elevated Austria to the rank of Duchy ruled by the Babenberg family. In 1356, Charles IV, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued. In 1356, Charles IV, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the Goldene Bulle, defining the constitutional structure of the Empire and establishing the list of the issued the Goldene Bulle, defining the constitutional structure of the Empire and establishing the list seven Prince-electors, among which the Duke of Austria was not comprised. Two to three of the seven Prince-electors, among which the Duke of Austria was not comprised. Two to years member the Habsburg family, whofamily, was disappointed at the exclusion of threelater, yearsDuke later,Rudolf
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