bavarikon4UDescription
Duke Johann III of Straubing-Holland (1374-1425) grants the citizens of Straubing a new fair. The new "trade fair" is to take place within the city walls. The place, time and duration of the fair are determined by the viscount. If the date is not convenient for the merchants, the fair shall be held on another day of the year on the advice of the viscount. During the fair, the duke renounces the charging of "tolls, custom duties, tariffs and port taxes".
The Wittelsbach partial duchy of Bavaria-Straubing-Holland comprised large parts of Lower Bavaria as well as the Dutch counties and dominions of Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland and Friesland. It existed from 1353 to 1425/29. The duchy came into being as a result of the Wittelsbach divisions of inheritance after the death of the German king and Bavarian duke Ludwig IV of Bavaria (1282/86-1347) and disintegrated when the Straubing male line died out. The foundations of Dutch maritime and trading power were laid under the rule of the dukes of Straubing-Holland, who were linked to all their important neighbours through marriage alliances (including the double marriage of Cambrai, 1385). At this time, the town of Straubing was, along with The Hague, the residence of the dukes and was governed by the duke’s deputy in his absence. Despite the distance to The Hague, the dukes of Straubing-Holland also promoted the Straubing area, which was an important financial and economic base. Privileges were confirmed, fairs approved, taxes reduced and, last but not least, numerous new buildings erected, which still characterise the townscape today. In 1356, Albrecht I (1336-1404) laid the foundation stone for a representative new ducal palace, which his son Johann III (1374-1425) had extended. The Knights’ Hall, built by Johann III, is one of the largest festival halls from the German Middle Ages. The settlement of the Calced Carmelites and the construction of the Carmelite Church can also be traced back to the initiative of Albrecht I (1336-1404). The tomb of Albrecht II (1368-1397) in the choir of the church is the only surviving tomb of a duke of Straubing-Holland. In addition, the town’s streets were paved, the town tower was completed and the St. Jakob and St. Veit churches were built.
Seal:
Seal of the Dukes of Straubing-Holland. The seal is quartered and alternately shows the Bavarian lozenge coat of arms and the coat of arms, also quartered, with alternately depicted lions of the Counts of Hainaut (two black lions) and the Counts of Holland (two red lions).