Imperial Elections. [Ladislav von Wittelsbach-Luxemburg]

[I Killed Kenny]

Herr Muller put on his contemplative face for the Dom and was quick to respond, though he was really promising things without the permission or approval of his lord.

We have heard reports of the war lately raging in Castile and how the dastardly Moors have tried to reverse the victories so dearly bought those many years ago. My lord would be most eager to send his men to aid the crusade and perhaps lead them himself. Now, as for monies, it is a question of how much your Grace requires. My lord is a great landholder, but as of late, the great assembly of our Duchy has raised taxes upon the nobles... shocking though it maybe to know they pay them at all, as that is not the nature of things in most places. Thus, my lord must make sure he has those funds in addition to those that come of run his estates and perhaps also soon for bridewealth soon for his marriage, God willing.

Fernando Noded and smiled and then spoke "Thank you your grace, King João could not ask for more. But If Duke Levi do not want to come to Africa we understand and we never as for that. The number of Troops Duke Levi want to send, do not matter, ten knights would better than anything, but if your grace, duke Levi would like to send 100 or even more, every soldier will be accepted as one of us, as a true cruzader!
About the Monetary loan, I would ask if his grace, Duke Levi could loan 1 000 000 Ducats ( 1 Eco ) as soon as possible. Because the kingdom of Portugal is now in great need and need the money as soon as possible!" Fernando now waited for the reply.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Muller had listened with his patented serious face, rushing assure the Dom of his master's support of his righteous mission. He could only hope the Duke would agree once he told him.

My lord has never been one to put off God-sent duties. Upon the conclusion of the Election, my lord will sent off to add your Grace in the noble quest of beating back the heathen and the money will be sent as soon as possible. While it is no small thing that my lord does in giving a vast amount, I am most sure that he will be repayed in some way, as the saying goes "Give and you shall recieve ten times the blessing in return." Is that not so, your Grace? Perhaps then there maybe something done for my lord? *smiles*

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Muller had listened with his patented serious face, rushing assure the Dom of his master's support of his righteous mission. He could only hope the Duke would agree once he told him.

My lord has never been one to put off God-sent duties. Upon the conclusion of the Election, my lord will sent off to add your Grace in the noble quest of beating back the heathen and the money will be sent as soon as possible. While it is no small thing that my lord does in giving a vast amount, I am most sure that he will be repayed in some way, as the saying goes "Give and you shall recieve ten times the blessing in return." Is that not so, your Grace? Perhaps then there maybe something done for my lord? *smiles*

Fernado replies "I am sure the blessing will return, all cruzaders will receive their good place in heaven and part of the Booty of North Africa. And we all know that North Africa is very rich... And I am also sure that a county of North Africa can be given to his Grace Duke Levi... And the money is needed quickly ( today if possible ) for Portugal is in great need for great plans!"

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Herr Muller was disappointed that the Dom had missed what he had been inferring, but he was only a young man. Muller had not been refering to a crown in Heaven or the illusory riches of Africa, he had been refering to Portugese help for Duke Levi's candidacy. Yet, the moment had passed and Herr Muller went on without a hint of his thoughts.

As I serve as kanzler, steward, and chamberlain to my lord, all I have to do is to write a letter back to Bavaria and have them send the money by sea via Venice. They would have to land in Aragon perhaps so that none of the Sarecen pirate get them, but all in all, it should only take a month for the chest to be brought down to Grenada, where I would assume the army will still be.

[ooc: Don't worry, you''ll get the actual transfer of funds today ]

 

[unmerged(945)]

An attendant approached Fernado d'Evora and quietly slipped him a note. It read as follows.

Your Grace, we are honored that our decision to present ourselves as a candidate is viewed in such a way. If God is willing we shall be victorious in this task.

At this very moment our armies stand ready to advance into Lotharingia. This in addition to other expenditures means we are currently not able to send any aid until the lotharingian situation is resolved. We pray that the civil war will end soon.

Finally, we must direct Your Grace to the Imperial Diet. That is a much better forum for your plea, and one with a much larger audience. Indeed, the reason we are gathered here in Frankfurt is to elect a new Emperor, nothing else. Once this election is over and a new Emperor has been elected the Diet should once again be the heart of the Empire. That time would surely be the best one to present your plea before the Diet.

- Johann von Hohenzollern​

 

[TheArchduke]

Lothair von Wittelsbach, Duke of the Rhine Palatinate, his brother Anton and his following arrived in Frankfurt. The discussions were already ongoing and Lothair knowing his being late, immeaditly proceeded to stand before the assembled electors and spoke in a clear voice.

"Elector Princes of the Empire, I have come to vote for a new King and Emperor for the Empire. Europe is in turmoil. Whilst England is still weak from civil war and Lotharingia is torn apart right at our border, the Empire is without leadership.

Yes, the muslim menance is growing stronger and stronger with every idea. Paralyzed Europe and the Empire has watched when the Almohads and their followers devoured Aragon. The news that reach us from Castille talk of a brave stand against the muslims in Castille already. And if that wasn't enough Hungary is not able to defend Europe from the Turks.

But enough from abroad, the Empire has nearer troubles at hand, too. Lotharingia is the main issue for now. And it could become a issue to divide the Empire. How important is that the Empire shows a firm and united front and deals with this crisis as swiftly as possible, I can't press any stronger. The Rhine Palatinate will intervene in Lotharingia as soon as possible to bring peace to that region again and the Empire has to do likewise.

Thus seeing that no worthy candidate has surfaced for now, I can only take the logical step to announce that I, Lothair von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rine, offer myself for the Seat of King of Germany and Emperor of Humanity and will vote for myself."

With that being said, Lothair took place amongst the electors again, talking with them and trying to persuade them that his candidacy was the best for the Empire. Only the Duke of Brandenburg has offered himself as a candidate, he couldn't assemble much support on the last election and abstained, does he see more hope now?

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Herr Muller was disappointed that the Dom had missed what he had been inferring, but he was only a young man. Muller had not been refering to a crown in Heaven or the illusory riches of Africa, he had been refering to Portugese help for Duke Levi's candidacy. Yet, the moment had passed and Herr Muller went on without a hint of his thoughts.

As I serve as kanzler, steward, and chamberlain to my lord, all I have to do is to write a letter back to Bavaria and have them send the money by sea via Venice. They would have to land in Aragon perhaps so that none of the Sarecen pirate get them, but all in all, it should only take a month for the chest to be brought down to Grenada, where I would assume the army will still be.

[ooc: Don't worry, you''ll get the actual transfer of funds today ]

"I thank you very much for the aid his grace Duke Levi can offer to the Cruzades" started Fernado smiling, for part of his mission in the imperial city of Frankfurt "And in one Month the money will come in a very good time, yes it will! Also I would like to ask if your grace know when his highness duke Levi can send some kind of Troops to Lisboa so they can hold there untill the ships are ready to invade Africa, of cource every loudging and transportation to Africa will be payed full by the Portuguese Crown (Rped by me) As no other thing could be expected!" Fernando nods and smiles one more time

 

[Petrarca]

Dietrich von Ehrlichman had his hands full. The Cardinal was being ignored, despite carrying the vote of Bohemia on behalf of his temporal liege, and meanwhile candidate after candidate arose, all from territories considered friends of Bohemia.

Thus the note from the chamberlain was especially gratifying to him. He ordered a servant to place the documents he had been considering back into the pouch, and stood up, grasping the note in his hand. “I have been pleased to hear the discourse of such honored lords in these chambers, but I must depart. His Majesty Ladislav, King of Bohemia and Hungary, Prince-Elector of the Empire, has arrived.”



Leaving, the old man felt freed from the stifling atmosphere of competing ambitions and visions. It was time for another, younger, man to represent Bohemia and maintain concord among the mess of princes. Ladislav would do fine among them, he told himself, holding great hopes for his pupil.

As he left, he told his steward to seek out an Imperial prince, one Graf von Görz.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

With the first three months of the Imperial Elections drawing to an end, no winner was obvious. Two men had presented themself as candidates for the Imperial purple, but none had yet cast their vote of confidence for either candidate.

The Electors, those who had arrived, were forced to admit that they would spend another 3 months, at least, in Frankfurt, before a new Emperor was ready to be crowned.

Elections end monday, 13th december, 23:00 CET. At the earliest.

 

[unmerged(945)]

Johann listened with great interest to the boy Lothair von Wittelsbach.

"We have heard no news of either the death of abdication of the Count Palatinate, Frederick von Wittelsbach." Johann paused, taking in Lothair. "Now, if either of these most unfortunate things have happened then you must off course be confirmed as an imperial prince and as an elector before any vote may be cast. But I am sure you know this very well, my good Herr von Wittelsbach."

Johann was a bit unsure about this young man, and indeed if he could even be taken seriously. The Brandenburg Elector had a feeling that the young Lothair was about to make certain individuals most displeased though.

 

[unmerged(945)]

'Finally!' Johann thought to himself as the news that King Ladislav had arrived reached him. While he had allready presented himself as a candidate he still very much wanted to speak with the bohemian King.

Not long after the King had arrived a note was discreetly delivered, inquiring wether the King would like to meet the elector of Brandenburg in private.

 

[Petrarca]

The very first act of Ladislav, upon entering the halls in Frankfurt, was to depart for a private conference with the Elector of Brandenburg. Perhaps Duke Johann had some explanation for the tumult he had heard whispered to him, of candidates appearing from all quarters of his allies, and some solution to the mess of conflicting allegiances that presented itself. Ladislav had his own solution, and he hoped that Johann's would coincide with it.

"Your Lordship, these times require haste, we must admit. What ails this circle, and what must we do to fix it?"

 

[unmerged(945)]

As the King of Bohemia approached, Johann turned to greet him.

"Yes, haste is indeed a nescessity at this time. Many strange things have happened so far during the elections. Strange letters, and now this Lothair von Wittelsbach presenting himself as a candidate." Johann leaned closer to Ladislav. "As a member of House Wittelsbach, surely Your Highness must know more about what is going on in Pfalz. Is Frederick von Wittelsbach no longer the Count Palatinate? And who is this Lothair? I was under the impression that the good Palatines son was quite young."

The Duke then pulled out the strange letter he had received and showed it to the King. "Almost as strange is this letter. Whoever sent it must surely have an agenda, perhaps a sinister agenda. And no great love for Your Highness` noble house it seems."

"Now we must put this mess behind us and work for a future sollution" the Duke continued. "Not only must the new Emperor win the election, but he must have support among the princes after the election as well. It is very questionable wether Lothair von Wittelsbach or this Leonhard von Görz would have that even if one of them won."

The Duke then paused for a moment. "I have presented myself as a candidate, as I do believe I could gather such support. Being born a 'southerner' myself, I could perhaps be representative of both the north and south as well. Be that as it may, I am sure Your Highness has his own view on this entire situation. I must admit though that the various Wittelsbach branches seem very divided on this issue. Right now it seems like ... multiple Wittelsbachs might offer themselves as candidates."

 

[Petrarca]

"The west too is an area of great concern. Burgundy is caught in the tumult of civil war, and the Empire has so far done nothing to alleviate that conflict. Perhaps it is because they have historically been an enemy to greater Imperial authority, but regardless we must do something, and the next King of the Romans must receive support from that quarter as well as east, south, and west," Ladislav responded.

"The work of subtle conspirators is widespread. We too received such a missive, and curiously wonder as to its source. We have no concrete suspicions as to where to ascribe it, however."

"As for the affairs of the Wittelsbach, the actions of the other branches are beyond mortal understanding. We understand that not only does the Rhenish branch have a candidate, but the senior Bavarian line has one as well," he managed with a grimace.

"Naturally, we object to our Rhenish nephew's declaration that he is the only worthy candidate." At this point, Ladislav was handed the letter from Pommern. Ordinarily, he would have turned the missive away, but the man who bore it was no servant, but instead Cardinal von Ehrlichman. Clearly it was important enough, then, to interrupt however briefly his discussion with Duke Johann.

 

[unmerged(945)]

Johann waited politely for the missive to be delivered before speaking.

"Indeed, strong measures must be taken to deal with the conflict in Lotharingia. The army of Brandenburg is currently preparing to advance into Lotharingia, alongside other forces, most numerous being the men from Pommerania. Such a coordinated effort should surely be a force to be reckoned with. With Anna of the Greifs daughter on the throne that area could be stabilized."

Johann had listened carefully to the Kings words, and he was not at all surprised to learn that the King allready knew about the bavarian candidate. He had deliberately left out that part, simply to find out if the King allready knew. Considering this, Johann spoke "Yes, a representative from one Levi von Wittelsbach, Duke of Bayern-Ansbach and Bayern-Tyrol, inquired about the possibility of a vote for his master. The Duke has not presented himself as a candidate yet, so it is not known if he actually intends to run or if he is merely researching the chances of his candidacy."

"A noble man perhaps, but vote for him I will not."

"As far as the rhenisher candidate is concerned he is hard to place, not to mention that his candidacy was quite unexpected. His comment about no worthy candidates is perhaps in response to the fact that Brandenburgs vote was abstained when his father was elected?"

 

[Mettermrck]

​

I, Der Erzbischof von Köln, Erzkanzler für Italien, and Kurfürsten, do swear on this Holy gospel of God here actually placed before me, that I, through the faith which binds me to God and to Die Heiliges Römisches Reich Deutscher Nation, do intend by the help of God, to the utmost extent of my discretion and intelligence, and in accordance with the said faith, to elect one who will be suitable, as far as my discretion and discernment can tell for a temporal head of the Christian people. And my voice and vote, or said election, I will give without any pact, payment, price, or promise, or whatever such things may be called. So help me God and all the saints.

Having arrived at St. Bartholomew’s and taken his oath, Augustin stepping into the large room where he could observe some of the Kurfürsten conversing in low tones, their eyes indicating the seriousness of the occasion. He could observe the garb of his fellow clergymen as well as the formal attire of those more temporal fürsten. He walked slowly, using the delay as a chance to compose himself and observe his surroundings. It was difficult to tell who were the leading lights in the room, and he surmised quickly that perhaps not all were present, either not yet arrived or holding conference elsewhere. Having traveled in haste from Prague, Augustin stepped towards the center of the room, his arms folded politely behind his back, and awaited the continuance of the proceedings, not quite sure where he himself should be. Who were these men who thought themselves worry of this crown? Have I heard of them? Are they humble enough for this grand ambition or will they be founding wanting in Our Lord’s eyes? He breathed deeply and gazed around, his serene, noncommittal smile firmly fixed on his face.

 

[Petrarca]

“We have brought the matter before the Imperial Diet so that there will be sanction behind our actions. Although even the partisans of Maria argue that the assembly of Burgundian lords must select their sovereign, and that to do otherwise would be to risk incipient conflict forevermore.”

Onto Onto Ladislav, Lord of the Kingdom of Bohemia, King of Hungary, etc.,

Your Majesty, esteemed kinsman and friend,

First and foremost we all wish to kindly thank Your Majesty for all the support already given and promised, rest assured House von der Greif shall not forget that. Alas we have not received any word from Your Majesty regarding the Proclamation of Zupthen, your signature on this paper would without doubts add grandeur and importance to it, perhaps making the rebels to give up without fight. We shall wait three more weeks (ooc:1 day) for this, and then spread the news of it all around Burgundy, with or without the explicit support of Prague.

Should it fail, with the beginning of Spring we intend to start a campaign against the rebels of Burgundy, the foul League of Arras. Most of the Imperial realms already expressed their support to Queen-Regent Anna and rightful Queen Marie II du Berry. We are now wish to coordinate our moves and decided to set a meeting point for the Allied forces. Please send your men to the Free Imperial city of Strasburg in Alsace. By the end of Spring there should be no less than 3000 cavalrymen and 7000 infantry from Pommern, we do not know yet the numbers coming from Brandenburg, Gelre, Bremen, Carinthia, Bavaria, Saxony and others. Pommern army is led by the general Otton von Blumentritt, well known and respected individual, who faithfully served Emperor Joachim and House of Gryphon for years.

We intend to eventually meet up with the forces of Anna von der Greif-Savoy (consisted from the Royalist forces, Piedmontese and Neapolitanian reinforcements.) somewhere in French Comte. We pray that the King of France will keep his word and send his men to help as well.

There also is a matter of the Imperial Elections. We have already heard of three worthy candidates. However, among this three noble men House of Gryphon finds Duke Johann Hohenzollern most appropriate one. He has the necessary expertise, experience and wisdom. He is a scholar and a knight in one, balanced yet hard and sharp as Danascan steel if necessary. Furthermore, Duke of Brandenbrug seems to be most moderate candidate, neutral in many cases, yet befriended with the most prominent Houses of the Empire. With that being said we kindly ask Your Majesty to consider his candidature well and cast your electoral vote on him.

With kindest regards,

Casmir of the Greif, King of Sweden, Duke of Pommerania, Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Grubenhagen and Wolfenbüttel, Duke of Poznan, Margrave of Danzig, Prince-Protector of Sweden, Overlord of Ingermanland, Kexholm, Memel and Gotland, Master of the Imperial Hunt.

Christine von der Greif-Wittelsabch, Dowager Queen of Sweden, Dowager Duchesse of Pommernia, Hannover and Poznan.​

He read the letter intermittently. Ladislav noted little of importance, besides a continued push for their damn proclamation, in the beginning of the letter. The Pommeranians were obsessed with the idea of neutralizing Burgundy once and for all, and placing a daughter of their line upon Lotharingia’s throne would certainly achieve that end. He supported Maria’s cause wholeheartedly in favor of strategies that would win him greater gains because Maria-Katarina had begged upon him.

Her brother and mother, however, were not Maria-Katarina, and they had their own motives, doubtlessly, and they wished him to support Duke Johann, he read with suddenly focused concentration. He looked up to see the man Pommern supported standing before him, and he turned back to the letter rather than respond. Such fine words about the Hohenzollern patriarch, followed by a quiet request to vote for him. Had they no faith in he himself? Carefully folding the letter back up, Ladislav forced a smile while his blood ran colder than normal. Maria-Katarina could sway him because he loved her. What feelings the other Pommeranians felt towards him were different. He did not intend to marry them. And so he disregarded their request. It ran counter to his own beliefs and the faith emplaced in him by Casimir’s sister and Christine’s cousin.

“We should retire to the main hall,” Ladislav said curtly.

 

[Mettermrck]

​

The creaking of the doors caught Augustin’s attention and he noted that two nobles, high rank by their dress and demeanor, had stepped into the room. By virtue of his audience with the monarch in Prague, he recognized Ladislav, König von Bohaim, though who the other gentleman was, he did not know. It was probably a Kurfürst, since in a time like this, it was proper for them to converse…and plan. Glad to have an opportunity to engage in conversation, Augustin stepped over to the pair as they emerged into the room with everyone else. Again, he bowed respectfully to Ladislav, and to his companion, not wishing to appear impolite. ”Eure Majestät, it is a pleasure to see you again. Perhaps our meeting in Prague was too hasty, yet of course pressing matters supersede pleasantries.” He casually looked around before turning back to the König. ”It appears that most of the figures are present. I understand we have a Wittelsbach and Hohenzollern demonstrating imperial ambitions. I have not heard of the former, and hardly anything of the latter. Perhaps Eure Majestät’s ear has become more privy to these facts?” He looked intriguingly at the pair.

 

[unmerged(945)]

"Yes, let us do so" Johann replied to the King. He fealt that neither had really touched the centre of the matter, that of the next Emperor. Rather they had talked about some which should not be the next Emperor. While Ladislav had commented that he did not share his cousins view about unworthy candidates, he had not said anything else about Johann`s candidacy either. Perhaps the King did have ambitions in that direction himself Johann pondered. Some had talked of such a possibility, even though the King himself had not mentioned it, and had so far not made himself a candidate.

Over the last years Bohemia and Brandeburg had worked for closer relations. Relations which may drift further apart during this election Johann realized. As they reached the main hall Johann spotted the Archbishop of Cologne, which was in fact approaching them. When he asked about the two imperial candidates, Johann had to suppress a grin and a chuckle.

"Yes, perhaps the King would like to say what he thinks about the Wittelsbach and Hohenzollern candidate. But let me introduce myself. Johann von Hohenzollern at your service Your Excellency"

 

[Petrarca]

“It appears wherever we meet, Your Illustriousness, business screams for our attention and demands that etiquette be left at the wayside,” Ladislav commented with a smile. “And not only is there a Wittelsbach candidate, there appear to be a pair,” he said, nodding twice, in the direction of Lothair and the Bavarian emissary respectively.

"Yes, perhaps the King would like to say what he thinks about the Wittelsbach and Hohenzollern candidate. But let me introduce myself. Johann von Hohenzollern at your service Your Excellency"

Ladislav was disappointed and all the more resolute. He found the Duke’s remarks uncharitable and meant for his own political ends rather than polite discussion. Ah well, the affair at hand did mean that politeness was a forgotten virtue. He still revolted at the thought of being put upon the spot.

“The Kurfürsten face a choice with the current candidates. Lothair von Wittelsbach, of the Rhenish branch, represents the vested interests of the west, being son of the Count Palatine and the Queen of Lotharingia. Insulting the King of Hungary declares his allegiance to his father’s and his mother’s interests, rather than the Wittelsbach. Levi von Wittelsbach is similarly a partisan of the Bavarian Wittelsbachs, of which we are part, we admit, and while we do not know him we would probably profit from his reign. The Herzog here is very close to the Pommeranians and the other northerners, and their endorsement of him concludes the radicalization of the various regions. Your Lordship may have been born in the south, but Your Lordship is not of the south,” he commented. If Johann desired to know what Ladislav thought, then he got it.

They could chew on that cud for a while, he decided. His opinions were not uncommon. Clearing his throat, Ladislav went on. "Sic erunt novissimi primi et primi novissimi multi sunt enim vocati pauci autem electi. We hope that Your Illustriousness does not object to a bit of jest in this serious time using serious verse, but God loves laughter, or so Cardinal von Ehrlichman told me.”

A gaggle of his courtiers, spread throughout the small hall containing the electors, were quieting the others, something done according to his instructions. He watched approvingly, and looked to von Hohenzollern and Cullen. “We feel that the Empire would lay divided under any of these candidates. It is not arrogance, then, but instead duty that motivates us to declare our own candidacy to become King of the Romans and lead the Empire back to its path of glory.” The entire hall was able to hear him, and he looked at the assembly.

“We have no grandiose ambitions,” he said laconically, then turning back to face the pair of Electors after speaking to the rest of the hall.

“Had we, we would have announced our candidacy when our house was at its highest and the Empire at its zenith. Now, with crises impending everywhere, the renowned influence and cooperation the Wittelsbach carry is at its lowest. Pommern tells us that Duke Johann is the worthy successor to their Joachim, the Rhineland that Lothair, Erich’s grandson, should take the reins, and similar rumblings reach us from the Alps. Our own ambitions are minor in comparison to the dreams of the Purple other men have. The restoration of our rule in Hungary, of course, which imperial affairs will only distract us from. And most importantly, the marriage to our beloved, which opposing Duke Johann will only forestall.”

“The Haus von Wittelsbach has three separate candidates in these elections. Disregard the words of those who harbor ambitions themselves and seek to cast aspersions upon all others. It cannot be said that there is a concerted effort, let alone a conspiracy of those of the blood, to regain the Purple.” He turned back to face all of the Kurfürsten.

“We believe that we are in a unique position to reconcile Lotharingia to the politics and laws of the Empire and to return concord in that respect to the Diet and the principalities of the Empire. Our embassies to them have reported fertile ground for the sowing of warm relations, and we have already begun initiatives to draw them closer as fellow Christian lords to the rest of the Empire. We ask that the Kurfürsten allow us continue this policy as King of the Romans. No longer should Pommern and Burgundy continue their mutual hatred. While other princes have raised armies to force the issue of succession upon the proud westerners, we assembled the Imperial Diet to reach a common, imperial decision on the matter so that legal sanction, and not force of arms alone, will prevail. We were long told that the forms must be obeyed—yet in this hour of crisis none have sought to do so until our delegates roused the sleeping Reichstag to rise forth, deliberate, and decide this issue. Should some prove recalcitrant, then force is called for, but not arms alone, without the justification the law gives. Too often princes cloak themselves in the law when it suits them and abandon it otherwise.”

“Genoa lies under administration of Dijon, a state of affairs completely contrary to the laws of the Empire. None have raised protest since the Burgundians ousted the republicans there and took the cities there under their control, yet their act was not justified by any court or custom. By the past decisions of the Empire, Genoa should remain a free state, subject to the guidance of the Dukes of Piemonte, not an integral province of the Burgundian duchy. In pursuit of restoring justice south of the Alps, we have contacted the Burgundians and have asked that they accept this resolution. So far, they have received us warmly.”

“Others talk of their plans. We have already acted, to the utmost of our current capacity, to overcome the crises facing the Empire. Our candidacy asks the Kurfürsten for approval to steer not only Bohemia but the Empire, in conjunction with the Imperial princes, and to reestablish upright Christian leadership to that precarious office. The Empire is an ephemeral idea cherished by a few. I beg the Kurfürsten to allow me to restore that idea.”