Privilegium Maius

The Privilegium maius (German: Großer Freiheitsbrief 'greater privilege') was a set of medieval documents forged in 1358 or 1359 at the behest of Duke Rudolf IV of Austria (1358–1365) of the House of Habsburg. It was essentially a modified and expanded version of the Privilegium minus issued by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in 1156, which had elevated the former March of Austria into the Duchy of Austria. The Privilegium maius claimed various rights and privileges for the Habsburg Dukes of Austria. It was devised as a response to the Golden Bull of 1356 issued by Emperor Charles IV, that did not include the Duke of Austria among the seven prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire. In order to strengthen Habsburg aspirations, the Privilegium maius elevated the Duke of Austria among the Palatine Archdukes, a newly coined term used only once in the document, as an honorary designation, ranking with prince-electors. That formulation thus became the very basis for the title Archduke of Austria, and the consequent elevation of the Duchy of Austria to the Archduchy of Austria. Emperor Charles IV refused to accept and approve claims from the document, and only in 1453 the Privilegium maius was finally confirmed and enacted by Emperor Frederick III, himself a Habsburg.

The privileges described in the documents had great influence on the Austrian political landscape, particularly after the 1453 confirmation, and thus created a unique connection between the House of Habsburg and Austria.

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