Political Language in the Holy Roman Empire (1500–1650s)

Christel Annemieke Romein

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-74240-9_2

Abstract

AbstractIn this first part of the book, I examine the use of fatherland-terminology in the Holy Roman Empire in general, and in the Duchy of Jülich and Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel more in particular. In this second chapter, I sketch the context of political language in German political thought and the use of fatherland discourse as unifying rhetoric.

Highlights

Accessed November 23, 2020 articulating their political thoughts. Their writings were influential throughout the Holy Roman Empire, inspiring princes and many patriots who found themselves in similar situations in the face of dynastic ambitions—often combined with an increase in warfare (Map. 2.1)
During the fifteenth and sixteenth century, a transformation in political thought within the numerous principalities of the Holy Roman Empire became apparent in publications
In line with the thinking of Melanchthon and Althusius, it became accepted that subordinates of a supreme magistrate could take up an office

Summary

Chapter 2

The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, as its full name read, became institutionalised in Nuremberg and Metz with the Golden Bull of 1356/57.1 This document contains the complex structure of the empire: it was a compilation of selfgoverning ecclesiastical and secular principalities and imperial cities. All were subordinate to the Imperial Diet, the Imperial Chamber Court, and the Aulic Council.4 The prince and his subjects—including the nobility or the Landstände—could each turn to these legal bodies when in need of legal counsel or mediation. Map. 2.1 Holy Roman Empire (seventeenth century). Accessed November 23, 2020 articulating their political thoughts. Their writings were influential throughout the Holy Roman Empire, inspiring princes and many patriots who found themselves in similar situations in the face of dynastic ambitions—often combined with an increase in warfare (Map. 2.1)

German Political Thought (15th–17th century)

German Fatherland Terminology