The order, solemnitie, and pompe, of the feastes, sacrifices, vowes, games, and triumphes: vsed vpon the natiuities of emperours, kinkes [sic], princes, dukes, popes, and consuls: with the custome, order, and manner of their inaugurations, coronations, and annoynting. With a briefe rehearsall of the funerall solemnities at some emperours, kings, and princes burials.

Of the Coronation and an∣nointing of the late kinges of Rome: in this sort.

THe king that should bee elected King of the Romans, was apparelled in a robe of Red silke, straight gyrded about him, vpon the which he ware another Italicall gowne, his cloake was wrought with golde ouer, and his hat in like sort, as the seuen Electors hattes of Germany were: in this apparel he is brought vnder a canapie, whō some of the kings peeres did cary ouer the kings head into the tem∣ple. The Electors do carie the imperial Ensignes before the King, which were before, at the coronation of Emperours, a golden Apple, a type of the whole world, which Countie Pa∣latine, one of the Electors, carieth on the right hande before the King: The Scepter was caried on the left hand before him by him that is Elector in Brandenburge: The Sword is caried in the middle before the King by the Duke of Saxo∣ny: and the King himselfe led between two Byshops.

Where, after the King was placed in his seate, and the rest of the States and Peeres of Germanie, with forraine Ambassadors being likewise placed, some praiers and ceremo∣nies

ended, and they brought vnto the Altar betweene foure Byshops, the Bishop of Treuire, the Byshop of Vnizheburge on the right hand, the Byshop of Collen and the Byshop of Spire vpon the left hand of the king, the Archbishop of Mo∣guntia solemnizing the sacred seruice at the Altar, which was also to annoint him king.

Before the Altar the King kneeled, being demanded pub∣liquely by the Archbyshop, whether he would obserue the chri∣stian faith, defend the Church of Rome, administer iustice vn∣to the people, augment and increase the Roman Empire pro∣tect widowes, Orphanes and the poore: And last of all, whe∣thee he would yeeld due reuerence and obedience to the By∣shop of Rome: To these demandes the king affirmatiuely an∣swered, that he would. Then after some praiers done, the Archbyshop annointed the former part of his head & his shoul∣ders, also his breast, his right arme, and the paline of his right hand. After, the Country Pallatine, with these foure before na∣med Bishops, leadeth him into a secrete place, where the king putteth on certaine hallowed Garments, which Charles the great was woont to weare at his coronation.

From thence the King againe was lead vnto the Altar, where the Archbyshop of Moguntia deliuered vnto his hande a naked sword, with some ceremonies and words in commen∣ding the regall seat and kingdome of Italy into his hand, the king put the sword into the sheath, and the Elector of Saxonia lay the sword on the kinges side. After, the Archbyshop did put a Ring on his finger, and laied a cloake vppon him, which were for the coronation of the kinges of Rome, by Charles the great appointed 700. yeares past and more. Then was the king brought and stalde in Charles the great his seat, as a ful possession of the kingdome: where then the Scepter and the Apple were deliuered vnto him: and the Crowne was put on his head: then the Archbishop pronounced him King of Rome, commending the king vnto the people, and committing the people vnto the King, at what time the Trompets sounded, and all kind of myrth and melody solempnized, which I omit

to write. In this order was Maximilian crowned King of Rome.

Notes

• The inaugu∣ration of the latter Kinges of Rome.
• Sigon. lib 4. Cap. 24.
• Cigo. lib. 4. Cap. 24