Edict of the Emperor Ferdinand, Elector of Bavaria and King of the Romans, Rightful King of Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary
“It not being willed the throne of Austria may be inherited by the daughter of Emperor Leopold, it is my solemn duty to declare such inheritance null and void. Quasi-Salic Law dictates that the throne rightfully belongs to my mother and her descendants, as, out of all the Habsburg marriage contracts, only her marriage contract, signed with the seal of the Emperor, allows such female inheritance of the throne after marriage.
“I am sure that the Council of Electors, who have the inalienable right to process such an inheritance claim, will confirm that I am the rightful holder of the Austrian crown. I call on all good and noble kings and princes, dukes and counts, to recognize that there is no other legal claimant to the throne besides myself. Now, if not for the marriage contract signed previously, I would have assuredly married my heir to my predecessor’s daughter, as would have been fitting. However, this contract will likely never be retracted or voided.
“I was elected Emperor unanimously, even as all other Electors knew of my inheritance to the Austrian throne. Therefore I once more ask for the Empire’s unanimous support in this matter. I do not expect war, as long as every one of us makes it clear that we will not be quiet when a throne is wrongfully usurped.”
