- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Brandenburg

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Ducal Court of Brandenburg

Court of the Duchy of Brandenburg

The Duchy of Brandenburg lies in the northeast of the Holy Roman Empire, bordering the Kingdoms of Poland and Bohemia to the east and south, the Duchy of Pommerania to the north, and to the west lie the imperial city of Magdeburg and the Duchy of Saxony. The land is wide and sandy, and the region has many rivers and lakes and pine forests.

The Rathaus


The principal cities and towns are Tangermunde, the primary residence of the Prince-Elector, Berlin-Colln, Brandenburg, Frankfurt-an-der-Oder, and Kustrin.

The House of Hohenzollern of Brandenburg

Friedrich von Hohenzollern, Prince-Elector and Duke of Brandenburg, High Chamberlain and Steward of the Holy Roman Empire

The House of Hohenzollern dates back to the 11th century and the Grafen von Zollern (Counts of Zollern) in Hechingen. The 13th century saw the rise of the Franconian branch of Hohenzollern with the Burgraves von Nurnberg (Nuremberg).

Friedrich I von Hohenzollern
Burgrave Friedrich VI von Hohenzollern, born 1371, was named Margrave of Brandenburg as Friedrich I. He is also the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg, one of the seven Imperial Electors who chose the Emperor. The Duke of Brandenburg is one the hereditary officers of the Empire, serving the Emperor as High Chamberlain. By imperial writ, he also holds the office of Steward of the Holy Roman Empire, serving the Emperor as regent when he is not before the Diet. In the Spring of 1421, the Emperor elevated the status of Brandenburg from that of a margraviate to a duchy within the Empire. Thus the Margrave became Duke of Brandenburg.

The House of Hohenzollern is widely intermarried throughout both the Empire and neighboring lands. The Elector is the great-uncle of the Emperor and his brother was married to Margaret de Luxembourg, sister to the late King of Bohemia and to the Duke of Luxembourg and King of Hungary.

Elisabeth Wittelsbach von Bayern-Landshut
The Duchess, born in 1383, is the daughter of the Duke of Bayern-Landshut and cousin of the Duke of Bavaria.

The children of the Prince-Elector and Duchess:

Elisabeth, b. 1403.
Cacilie, b. 1405.
Johann, b. 1406.
Margarete, b. 1410.
Magdalene, b. 1412.
Friedrich II, b. 1413.
Albert III, b. 1414.
Sofie, b. 1416.
Wenzel, b. 1420.
_________________________

The Officers of the Duchy of Brandenburg

Fra Rothard Tegen, Chancellor of Brandenburg. Fra Rothard accompanied Duke Friedrich from Nurnberg. Though his origins are humble, he has served the Hohenzollern faithfully for many years and is completely dedicated to Duke Friedrich. He yearns for retirement but will not desert his duty while he is needed. Fra Rothard is the president of the State Council (Hofrat) and the Privy Council (Geheimer Rat).

Deitbrand von Zossen, Count of Kyritz, Marshal of Brandenburg. Graf Deitbrand fought with the Duke against the Ottomans and was at the Battle of Nikopol with him. His bravery and his intelligence brought him the to Duke's attention and upon being named Elector of Brandenburg, the Duke made him Marshal of Brandenburg. Count Deitbrand is a member of the State Council (Hofrat) and the Privy Council (Geheimer Rat).

Burgrave Deinhard von Raabs, Chamberlain. Burgrave Deinhard is head of the Duke's household, a great responsibility in light of the fact that the Duke is as often in Berlin as in Tangermunde. The Burgrave is also a member of the Privy Council (Geheimer Rat).

Fra Lutmar Kaestner, Treasurer. Fra Lutmar heads the Treasury (Hofkammer). He supervises a cadre of officials responsible solely for the collection of direct taxes due the Duke.

The Administration of the Duchy of Brandenburg

The Duke governs the Duchy with the advice of the Landtag (local Diet or Parliament) and three councils, the Hofrat (Council of State), the Hofkammer (Treasury Council), and the Geheimer Rat (Privy Council).

The Landetag meets at the call of the Duke and considers issues put before it by the Duke, as well as having power to consider issues by its own initiative. The Landtag consists of three separate groups, each voting separately: the Klerusrat (Council of Clergy), the Adelsrat (Council of Nobles), and the Council of Burghers representing the chartered towns and cities.

The Hofrat consists of the leaders of the Landetag and is empowered to act for the Landetag when that body is not in session. It also functions as a high court for the Duchy. The Council is headed by Fra Rothard Tegen, Chancellor of Brandenburg.

The Hofkammer is headed by the Treasurer, Fra Lutmar Kaestner, and is responsible for administering taxation and management of the treasury.

The Geheimer Rat functions as the personal Council of the Duke and as the last court of appeal in the Duchy. Judicial decisions rendered by the Geheimer Rat cannot be appealed. Fra Rothard Tegen, the Chancellor, normally presides over sessions of the Privy Council when the Duke is not himself present.


The Duchy is divided into two regions (Gebiet): Gebiet Brandenburg and Gebiet Kustrin. Each of these regions is further divided in districts (Bereich) and chartered towns or cities (Stadt).

The administrative and judicial affairs of each region are handled by an agent of the Hofrat, called an Aufseher. Each district is further assigned an agent, called a Verwalter. The Aufseher are members of the higher nobility, while the Verwalters are drawn of the lower nobility. These agents have charge over the estates of the Duke and represent the authority of the Duke. In collection and determination of taxes, however, these officials have no authority. Rather, officials, the Kammerbeamter, reporting directly to the Hofkammer, collect taxes due the Duke.

 

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a messanger enters
"Great Friedrich I von Nurnberg, your german brothers of the Teutonic Order welcomes you to the throne, and hope for warm relations with your great nation. Furthermore we advice you to attend the Imperial Diet.
Michael von Sternburg might cross through your land later this year, so you two can meen in person.
"

 

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Your Grace, Friedrich, Margrave of Brandenburg,

I thank you for the condolences of my brother Henry who fell in battle at the Siege of Paris. Know that he shall not have given his life in vain, for it is our right as proven by Edward III, to be receives the title and attributes as king of France. I also thank you for your warm welcome for my coronation. Although a black day has fallen, the light shall illuminate our path to glory. As the victory, granted by our Lord himself has proven that our claim is just. The glory of right has seen the dauphin run from Paris, like a common thief in the night. Know that we shall prevail yet over the imposters in France.

By his own hand in Westminster

 

[Martinus]

A letter arrives, sealed with a crest of Philippe, Duc de Bourgogne.

 

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Message from Danmark

The ambassador from Danmark entered the Ducal court to present his credentials,

Your most noble Duke I am Lord Petterson and I am here to represent my King Erik VII of Danmark-Norge och Sverige. He sends greetings and good wishes to you and hopes you will exchange embassies.

The ambassador withdraws after his presentation.

 

[Darth Tracid]

An envoy bearing the insignias of Luxembourg enters the court.

"I come with a message from Sigismund I., Duke of Luxembourg, King of Hungary:
Dear friend, I have read your words with great joy and pleasure and now I know that my war against the infidel rebels will come to a victorious end. Be sure that the people of Hungary and Luxembourg will never forget your aid to the rightful cause, as I never will. I will stand with you in whatever troubles that await us and together we will master any storm."

The messenger bows and withdraws after placing a carefully crafted sword before the margrave, bearing the insignia of the Luxembourg dynasty.

 

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A tall man wearing the insignia of the House of Luxembourg enters the court. He is strong and muscular looking, behind him stand several men holding covered things of various shapes.

"My Lord first present the letter of His Grace King Vladislav to you my Lord Margrave."

The letter is presented.

"To the most wise Margrave and Imperial Elector of Brandenburg

My dear Lord

Your words of kindness have touched the hearts of every true man of Bohemia. You are noted by us as a true supporter of the Luxembourg family and for this we honour you. I will welcome any further communication from Brandenburg greatly and would be honoured to hold you in my counsel as a true friend. Particularly in these tumultuous times and with the need for Imperial unity.

By his own hand at Praha

King Vladislav of Bohemia and Moravia"

The strong man presents a second letter from the Queen of Bohemia.

"My dearest neice

Your words came at such an optune time as it seems the scheming of Bohemian nobles has already reached your ears. This is indeed a tragic time for me but Lady Anne and I have become like mother and daughter. We are united in grief and united in resolve to make sure Bohemia remains safe from our own nobles.

Although I suppose I should leave Vladislav to do this I wish to invite you and your household and all others you wish to take to the marriage of Lady Anne of Burgundy to our King Vladislav. During this time your counsel may well be needed.

By her hand at Karlovy Vary."

The several gentlemen standing behind the emmisary now come forward. They first present a gift of a sword made of the strongest Bohemian metal with the twin-tailed lion on one side of the hilt and the eagle of Brandenburg the other.

The second is presented from Lady Anne of Burgundy and is a box of the finest spices she could obtain from the silk road. The inlaid box shows her own proud seal.

Finally a large leather-bound bow is presented it is opened to reveal a small tiara once owned by the Queen, written on the inside cover of the box is. "My dearest Vaclav gave this to me on the day I was presented to him, it was his mothers and so from me it now passes to your own most noble house."

 

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Rothard Tegen, the Chancellor of the Mark, sits back to review the final copy the clerk had just brought. Nodding, he turns to the other members of the Hofrat, the Council of State.

Per the Elector's latest instructions the changes to the Iussum de Tractatione (Orders for Administration) governing the actions of the regional governors and the tax officers and their interactions with the nobles are complete. After the reaffirmations taken at Berlin before the Landtag (Parliament), the nobles have been less assertive. I believe that the Elector has bound enough of the powerful men firmly to himself to diminish the chance of any noble actively opposing him.

With the creation of the Hofkammer (Treasury Council) and the Kammerbeamte (treasury officials) to collect the taxes due the Elector directly, the revenue we see should increase. But everything depends on the ability of the newly designated governors (Aufseher) to keep the other nobles in line. Both old established families and some of the younger nobles have been chosen to fill these roles. The Graf von Kustrin, himself one the Elector’s most recalcitrant nobles, has taken up the role of Aufseher for Kustrin. The rewards were evidently adequate to convince him to side with the Elector before the Landtag of Kustrin.

The Chancellor appends his signature to the document, followed by the Treasurer, and the Chamberlain applied the seal of the Elector of Brandenburg. Immediately the clerk provided four other identical copies, which were likewise signed and sealed, destined for the Landtag of Brandenburg and the Landtag of Kustrin, as well as the Chancery and the two primary Aufseher, the Graf von Kustrin and the Graf von Havelberg. The men left the council chamber in good spirits, unaware of recent events in the Imperial Diet.
_

 

[Martinus]

A letter arrives, carrying the seal of Marguerite of Holland-Wittelsbach, Duchess-Dowager of Burgundy.

 

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The Elector of Brandenburg strode from the hall where the Landtag of Brandenburg was assembled. He had just announced the birth of his fourth son, born in Prague after the wedding of the King of Bohemia, and to be named Wenzel in honor of the place of his birth. He had also presented the members with a demand that they stop opposing his administrative reforms. The burghers had, for the most part, supported the Elector as the reforms would reduce noble interference with the chartered towns. The clergy, likewise, would benefit from greater regularity in taxation and administration. The nobles, however, largely saw there position threatened.

The Chancellor continued to discuss the issues with them, making concessions here and there to the more powerful and prominent. In the end, he knew the Elector would win. It was vital that the Elector should prevail. His hold on Brandenburg was tenuous, having received the title a mere four years ago, vaulting his family to greater prominence.

In the corner, unobserved by the Chancellor who was surrounded by several of the northerly counts, the Count of Havelberg was speaking with three men, one of whom had recently arrived with men in the livery of the Count of Kustrin. Havelberg and Kustrin were the two most powerful men in Brandenburg, after the Elector. And Kustrin had denied the Elector's authority in the past, but had recently professed a new found adherence to the Elector's reform. He and Havelberg would occupy the two highest positions as Governors of Brandenburg and Kustrin. Yet, anyone observing these four men in a side aisle would certainly wonder. For they spoke in whispers, and the Count of Havelberg argued vehemently with the man from Kustrin. In the end, the Count appeared to agree with the newcomer. As he left, he shoved people from his path in anger.

The Chancellor, noticing the Count's abrupt and angry departure, scowled and beckoned a clerk. He scribbled a quick note in his private code and sent the clerk off to the chancery. Spies would soon be following the Count of Havelberg. The Chancellor was now concerned, but with the Elector's imminent departure for the Diet, he chose to keep his misgivings to himself. However, all was not well.
.

 

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The Count of Kyritz, Marshal of Brandenburg, storms into the Chancellor's chamber.

"What the hell is going on, Rothard? I can't keep these men quartered here much longer. Either we ride for Hungary or not, but we must decide!"

The door is opened by a guard and the Chancellor prepares to berate the guard for the interruption, unleashing the anger he was feeling toward the Marshal. However, he checked himself as the Margravine Elisabeth entered.

"Lady" was the only thing out of both men's mouths before the Margravine spoke.

"Gentlemen, please let us not be angry. For I heard you storming up the hall, good Count, and who could not hear your shouting now. Know that I understand your anger but what would you have us do? The Chancellor has requested permission of King Vadislav to cross Bohemia. He has further requested that King Sigismund aid that request, which I have been informed has been done. The silence of the King of Bohemia is as great a mystery to me as it is to you. However, it is a matter for the Margrave to resolve.

The men must not be released from their muster yet. A week's time should suffice. You may, however, send those knights who have journeyed west from Kustrin back. If they are needed, they may be mustered from Kustrin with little delay."

The Margravine walks to the window and purses her lip, twisting a napkin in her hand, a nervous habit with which the Chancellor is familiar.

Rothard Tegen beckons the Margravine to a chair, and pours her a glass of wine, begging her to put away her worries for the moment. In his own mind, however, he is becoming more and more anxious. Rebels in Bohemia as well as Hungary, silence from the King of Bohemia, and, known only to him, the plotting of the Count of Havelberg and the possibility that the Count of Kustrin might join him.

 

[Darth Tracid]

A messenger bearing the seal of the luxembourg dynasty enters the court. He bows and delivers a letter to the margrave.

"My dear friend,
I have received your letter and read it with great happyness. It is a great pity that the king of Bohemia was unable tu grant you right of passage through his lands because of the infidel Hussites in rebellion against him. But be sure that I have noted your willingness to help with care and you will not be forgotten.
Also, I wish to invite you to send a representative to the province of Pressburg to attend a meeting where the preservation of peace and stability in our region will be discussed.
I thank you for your friendship and greet you,
King Sigismund I. of Luxembourg-Hungary."

 

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A letter arrives:
"Great Hohenzollern.
The Hohenzollerns are one of the most noble families of Europe.
And we would like to have a meeting between the family of Sternburg and the family of Hohenzollern to discuss the Polish issue and also to discuss how our german brothers, the hohenzollern, and ourself can become closer.
Signed
Michael von Sternburg
"

 

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"God above!" The Margravine Elisabeth of Brandenburg paled as she listened to the Chancellor, Rothard Tegen, relate to her the events transpiring in Bohemia. Also on his lap were letters from Rome concerning the Roman Alliance and from the Grandmaster of Teutonic Order expressing concern with regard to Poland.

"Friedrich must know of all these things at once. He must return from the Diet! You say Bohemia and Burgundy have sworn to Martin V. The Dowager Queen of Bohemia and the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy are my own cousins and my baby son, Wenzel, himself born in Prague. Friedrich has publicly spoken in support of the Duke of Burgundy. Dear God, what shall we do?

This does perhaps explain the curious silence of the King of Bohemia to our requests. It does not forgive the insult, though."

The Chancellor looked nervously at the Margravine before speaking. "There is more, highness. For some time I have suspected the Count of Havelberg. I cannot tell you that he has turned traitor to Hohenzollern, but I fear he is near doing so. I do believe that his efforts to enlist the Count of Kustrin against his lord have proven futile. More and more I am convinced that Kustrin is trustworthy and may prove one of our staunchest supporters."

The Margravine rose, firmness in her stance and her voice. "Send word to Friedrich and bid him return if it be his will. Summon the State Council to meet in three days time and prepare to summon the Landtag."

The Chancellor bowed his head to the Margravine, taking courage from her decisiveness. "As you ask, highness."

Letters were dispatched throughout Brandenburg and a courier rode as the wind to summon the Prince-Elector home.

 

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"Prince Elector of Brandenburg,

As you know, a Bohemian cardinal has declared himself the Pope and called His holiness, Jean-luke an Antichrist. This false Pope has somehow attracted followers and a war will most likely soon break out between the two sides.

The imposter has most likely persuaded some of your goverment to his side, and they might try to sway you over to the Imposter's side. Doing this, would excommunicate your people and many of your soldiors would die fighting against the true Pope.

I prey you make the right decision and are not swayed by the supporters of the imposter-Pope in Bohemia.

In hopes of peace,

 

[Martinus]

To the Holy Mother Church, All Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Secular Princes, priests and laymen of the Holy Roman Empire, from His Grace Odo de Bauffremont, Archbishop of Besancon, Metropolitan of Burgundy, Count of Charny Christian and fraternal benedictions,

Beloved brothers in Christ, verily the testing times have come upon the Empire of Charlemagne, for we are given the opportunity to support the true and only Pope, His Holiness Martin V, formerly known as Cardinal Olbrecht of Bohemia, rather than bow our heads to the impostor and Antichrist, bishop of a heathen name Kirk Picard.

Truly, we should thank God Almighty that he has inspired pious Cardinal Olbrecht to take upon his most holy person the burden of papal tiara, despite the agents of Satan coming from Rome, threatening him with death and tortures. Yet he has placed the wellbeing of all Christendom, of all his children and sheep over his own safety, and seized the Papal Tiara, declaring the usurper a heretic and a blasphemer.

Indeed, some of you may not be fully aware of this fact, yet not only piety and wisdom, but also validity of Conclave speak for His Holiness Martin V, who was elected by clear majority, albeit many of votes cast for them were not recognised, as they were changed from a Cardinal, who later withdrew his candidacy.

Verily, brothers, let us unite behind the Divine Wisdom. Let us unite behind the Virtuous Piety. Let us united behind the Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Let us unite behind His Holiness Martin V of Prague.

By own hand at Prague,

Cardinal Odo de Bauffremont, Archbishop of Besancon

 

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To all the good catholics of The Holy Roman Empire, to those who believe in justice and Law, to those who have been oppressed by the heretic of Burgondy, to those who refuse the terror comming from Bohemia like it did not long ago with the hussite from Louis III Duke of Anjou count of Provence and rightfull count of Maine and Jean Baptiste Pocelin Archbishop of Aix en Provence.

Beloved cousins and friends, the Holy Roman empire is at a turn of its history. A shismatic Pope as declared himself in Prague threatening what our glorious ancester Charlemagne has done. Not only that he deny the power of the true Pope but he also deny the legality of the conclave who elected the Pope in Rome. Of course the second in the list during this election was the heretic Pope of Prage, and it seems that his declaring is not inspired by God but by the devil helped by the anger, the resentment of not being elected and his thirst of power.

It is more obvious of the devilish inspiration of this declaration by the activ support made by Burgondy. Strangely the declaration of the Heretical Pope happend just after an attempt of assassination on the Holy Pope made by the Duke of Burgondy and the excomunication that followed, isn't it obvious that they only try to avoid there right punisment after the sacrilege they tried to commit?

Beloved cousins and friends we must support the true Pope with our catholic faith. Lets unite behind Jean-Luke I, the only and true Pope.

May god be at your side

Louis III,Duc of Anjou, Count of Provence, rightfull Count of Maine
Jean Baptiste Pocelin Archbishop of Aix en Provence

 

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A letter arrives.

"Great Friend. We are confident you will take the right decision.
We of cause hope you support us against the anti-pope of Prague.
Furthermore your minister of foreign affair do not receive our letters, apparently he has so many letters that he cant take any more.
(OOC: PM IS FULL)
"

 

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The Landtag of Brandenburg assembled in Berlin. The Elector sat at one end of the chamber, on a raised platform, with the Margravine Elisabeth next to him. Seated in a chair just below and to the side of the Margravine was Elisabeth von Hohenzollern, daughter of Marguerite de Luxembourg and niece of the Elector and the King of Hungary.

To the Elector's left, the clergy were assembled, with Stephen Bodeker, Bishop of Brandenburg, in the first chair. To his right were the nobility, with Gerthold, Count of Havelberg, in the first chair. Next to him sat Bernhard von Mohrin, Count of Kustrin.

Ahead of the Elector, and between the others, sat the representatives of the burgesses.

The session was the third in as many days. Yesterday the Chancellor had read messages to the Elector which declared the support of the Emperor for Martin V and then the apparent abandonment of Rome and the throne of St Peter by Jean-Luc I. The ensuing uproar was ended only by adjourning the Landtag to the following day.

The Elector glowered while Countess Elisabeth stole glances at her uncle nervously. The Chancellor performed the ritual opening the assembly and waited for the Elector to speak.

"Fathers, noble lords, honorable burghers: Our tribulations shall never end, it would seem. No sooner do we have one Pope, though not necessarily a man to our entire liking, and we put the schism behind us than we have another conflict over the Holy See and what man shall rightly hold it. Yet, this, as we have said before, is a matter for the clergy. We shall abide the decision of a council, guided by our own clergy."

At this, Stephen Bodeker, Bishop of Brandenburg, spoke.

"Your grace, we have met through much of the night, and yet we remain of two minds. For my part, and that of the greater number of us, I will abide the pontificate of Martin V. For Jean-Luc has seemingly laid down his office and God has provided Martin to Holy Church to take up that role.

But others of us, the fewer, led by Bishop Nicolaus Unzer of Lebus, would call Martin usurper and anti-pope, awaiting a council and an election. And they would further, many of them, refuse the election of Martin under any circumstance, as having grasped at that which is not his by right.

Here we stand, your grace, of divided mind. Yet we shall abide your will, howsoever you say."

Here the Burgrave Karl von Seelow rose and spoke.

"Your grace, I am of a like mind with Bishop Nicolaus. There are many of us appalled by the greed of this new so-called Pope. Though Jean-Luc was far from agreeable to many of us, this new Pope would be no more than a tool of de Bourgogne and de Luxembourg. We formally request that you denounce this imposter."

At that, others rose to show their support. But Burgravine Magda von Retzin, a woman who had to force the Elector and the Landtag to recognize her right to sit, then spoke.

"Your grace, though I am but a woman, and necessarily therefore weak of mind and body, I am not without courage to speak before so many noble and honorable men. I believe I speak for many, your grace, when I say that I shall fully abide your decision in these matters. For to you has been given the obligation of rule over these lands, and to you we look and pledge our loyalty and give our homage. The House of Luxembourg is close to Brandenburg, your grace, as there next to you sits one of her noble daughters. You and the Margravine were shown honor at the wedding of the King of Bohemia and the King of Hungary has ever supported you. It is with honor that we should stand."

With those words, many of the nobles and a great many of the burgesses cheered. Silence fell as the Elector cleared his throat to speak.

"Good and faithful men, and woman:" (and the Elector smiled and nodded toward Burgravine Magda) "We are confronted with two issues. First, who is the rightful Pope. We have said before that this is a matter for the Church. But as Jean-Luc has abandoned the Holy See, and awaiting a council, I will declare that I and all mine do acknowledge the papal dignity to Martin V.

This leads to the second issue. What rights do we acknowledge of Martin V over this Holy Empire? Or of any Pope for that matter? For it is reported that the Pope has summoned the Diet to attend him, or else he has declared some sort of rightful authority over the Diet. Further, and most offensive to our dignity, is his pronouncement that Sigismund of Hungary shall be Steward over this Empire. This, my lords and fathers, I shall not grant. By what right does the Pope ignore the Electors and lords of this Empire? To whom has been given the duty of rule over this dominion? Do we not have an Emperor?

I declare that I and all mine do not permit that any dignity or jurisdiction of Steward exists to Sigismund de Luxembourg, King of Hungary, nor that any Pope has power to create such office. The Imperial Diet guides the Emperor in the governance of this Empire. Until the lord Emperor declares otherwise, or the Diet addresses the issue, this shall be law in all my lands."

Looking toward Elisabeth von Hohenzollern, King Sigismund's niece as well as his own, he speaks, "Dearest and well-beloved niece, know that I intend no harm nor any offense toward your royal uncle. For he has well deserved the loyalty of my House and he shall have it. I challenge not his honor, but the intrusion of the papacy into the laws and rights which pertain to the lords of the Empire.'

 

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A messenger enters the court of the Margrave, leaves a sealed message and exits.