MAXIMILIAN I Emperor, 1459-1519

Letter addressed to Pope Innocent VIII. and with the signature of Maximilian himself. Dated: Mecklenberg, 6 October

      - Single folio, written on vellum, 24 long lines. Folded and addressed on the back: "Sanctissimo Domino nostro Pape". Size: 323 x 284mm. 1488. An important letter of Maximilian I written to Pope Innocent VIII which highlights the hold that the Pope held over the Holy Roman Empire; signed "MAX" with paraph. The letter shows the concerns of Maximilian regarding the lack of confirmation by Pope Innocent VIII of the Preces Primariae; this was the law or right of the Holy Roman Empire to award benefices in ecclesiastical institiutions to his preferred candidates, and was subject to papal authority. The letter is dated two years after Maximilian had been crowned king of the Romans and shows his impatience that this issue had not been dealt with. The Hapsburg family held the title of Roman king, but to become the Holy Roman Empire it was necessary to have a coronation undertaken by the Pope which often meant waiting for the right moment. Frederick III had been made king in 1442 but did not become Emperor until 1452, while Maxililian was crowned king in 1486, and assumed the title of Emperor in 1508 without formal act of coronation although this was later accepted by Julius II. This system thus bound the Hapsburg family to the Catholic faith, and the family traditionally supported thge Catholic Church. Maximilian writes that he realises that his holiness is very busy, but he is concerned about a matter which very much concerns his honour and status. He writes: "We certify to the same [Holiness] that nothing at this time so much concerns my honour as that the "Preces" be granted, throughout the entire Empire and the dominions subject to my power from the day of my coronation, should be ratified". The other matter in the letter is Maximilian's strong desire for Bishop Luke of Sebenico to be promoted to Cardinal; this refers to Lucas de Tollentis, bishop of Sebenico in Dalmatia from 1470 to 1491, whose claims Maximilian had promoted for some time, but the plea clearly fell on deaf ears.