bavarikon4UDescription
The town of Kempten, especially its municipal court, were honoured by the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian (born 1459, ruled 1486-1519) and the Empire. The coat of arms he awarded represents his bond to the imperial city whose troops had liberated him in Bruges (Belgium) in 1488. It shows, as detailed in the document, the Kemptner "K" and the imperial eagle. In the centre of the privilege is the magnificent miniature. The court’s new-found authority, its autonomy within the city and its independence from foreign influences became clear to everyone. The citizens of Kempten were therefore happy to pay for the representation of their court’s, and therefore their community’s authoritative rise, in the form of a ceremonial document. The special relevance of this ceremonial act is made clear by Maximilian’s big title.
Author
Johannes Kroh