Ludwig the Bavarian’s „private charters“ before the beginning of his monarchy

According to the traditional system, medieval charters from non-royal, imperial or papal issuers are called "private charters". From today’s perspective, this terminology appears unfortunate and misleading because it does not do justice to the legal status of ecclesiastical and secular princes in particular. On the other hand, at the time of Ludwig the Bavarian (born 1282/86, ruled 1314-1347), princely territories were not regarded as territorial entities like today’s Free State of Bavaria, but as divisible family assets. Therefore, Ludwig’s legal status only changed significantly with his election as king on 20 October and coronation on 25 November 1314. Naturally, however, Ludwig, like his brother Rudolf of the Palatinate (born 1274, ruled 1294-1317), used his inherited princely titles as Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine of the Rhine as issuers of charters and sealed them with an equestrian seal in keeping with his status. The legal validity of such royal charters was normally beyond question.

Thomas Krüger