At the origins of Polish patronage: the transfer of the imperial "conservatory" in relation to the Archbishopric of Riga in 1366

Abstract

The article contains the full text of the rescript of Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg dated 1366, which refers to the transfer to several European sovereigns of responsibility (“conservatory”) for maintaining the privileges of the Archbishops of Riga as princes of the empire and the diocese of Riga as an imperial fief. The Teutonic Order in Livonia encroached on the privileges of the Church of Riga, although they were granted to the latter by emperors, starting with the "counter-emperor" Heinrich Raspe, and repeatedly confirmed by Charles IV himself. Their protection was considered an imperial prerogative, and its delegation to a number of European sovereigns gave them reason to actively interfere in the affairs of Livonia in the 16^th century. This was especially noticeable in the foreign policy of the Polish-Lithuanian Jagiellons.