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 election of the Em∣perours and of the kings of Germany.

* 1.1THe election of the late kings of Rome are in this sort, the seuen Princes Electors called Septemviri meere early, about six of the clocke in Romanaeo, there they consult vntill nine: from thence they goe in solempne order into S. Bartholmewes.* 1.2 First goeth before, the Arch∣byshop of Moguntia and the Byshop of Treuire: Next went the Byshop of Collen and the King of Bohemia: Then last went County Pallatine, the Elector of Saxon. & the Elector of Brandenburge, and so in order sate in the Church: and af∣ter some praiers done, they came from their seates with great pompe and solempnity vnto the Altar: where euery one of the seuen princes Electors take there a solempne oath one after another, in these wordes.

I doo sweare vpon this Euangelist before me, that with al my faith which I owe vnto God, my diligence and care which I owe vnto the Empire, without reward, or hope of greater honour,* 1.3 that I will choose with all faith and trueth, a iust and a fit man for the Kingdome of Rome, as much as in mee lieth.

After this oath is ministred vnto the seuen Princes Ele∣ctors seuerally one after another, they return into their seats: then they sing most solempnly with Organes, Shalmes and other musicke, Veni Creator.

After this, they withdraw themselues into the Councel house, where they stay half an hower (the doore lockt vpon thē) they call the chiefe Peeres of Germany vnto their Councell house, as Messengers vnto the Emperour, to signifie their election, and to desire the Emperour in name of the Electors

of his good will herein, and if his Maiesty would vouchsafe to come to the Church of Saint Bartholmewes at Frank∣ford, a place as Westminster is in England, or S. Dennis in France.

If the Emperour come, he is receiued by the Archbyshop of Moguntia and the Duke of Bauaria, and the rest of the E∣lectors meete him at the Church dore according to their cu∣stome, and there with solemnitie and pompe, they bring him into the Councell house in his imperial robe, and his Diadent on his head to accept of this election: and from thence (after the election is signified vnto him by the Archbishop of Moguntia) in order they come foorth into the church: the Emperour vn∣to his imperiall seate: the new elected King lead betweene the aforesaid foure Bishops vnto the Altar, according to the woonted rites and ceremonies of their elections, they set the King, and there he is crowned King by the Electors.

Te Deum &c. is sung, then the trumpets, belles gunnes, and all kind of sounding is there, and after al this is done, they lead the King vnto his roiall seate, prouided in the middest of the Church, and there proclaimed King of the Romanes,* 1.4 and heire of Augustus.

Thus shortly haue I laide downe the maner of the electi∣on of the latter kinges of Rome.

They haue their seuerall ceremonies in crowning of their Kinges and Emperours: In Aquisgrane with siluer: In Millaine with Iron, and in Rome, with a Crowne of gold: For these three Crownes belonged proper to the Empire of Rome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Septemuiri.
• * 1.2

  The maner & order at the election of the late kings of Rome and Emperors of Germany, by the 7. electors
• * 1.3

  The oath of the Electors in choosing both kings & Emperors of Rome.
• * 1.4

  Kings of Rome heires of Augustus,