Kaiserlicher Hofrat und kaiserliche Herrschaft unter Karl V. (1520–1556) : Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte des Reichshofrats

Abstract

When Charles V took over the government of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in 1520, he was confronted not only with complex political issues. He also received thousands of petitions from rulers and individuals seeking law and justice, protection, aid, and support, demanding what were among the central responsibilities of a pre-modern ruler. Embracing older traditions yet firmly grounded in the modern era, the emperor's administration established a council to address these concerns. This laid the groundwork that would later shape the Imperial Court Council—one of the two highest courts of the empire. Using previously neglected archival material and other sources, Eva Ortlieb reconstructs the history, composition, and activities of the Imperial Court Council. Even though the Court Councilors did not debate the major political issues of the time, they nevertheless laid an important foundation for imperial rule in the empire.