The
Golden Bull of Rimini was a
Golden Bull issued by
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, at
Rimini in March 1226, to confirm the
Teutonic Knights' possessions in
Prussia. It was the first of three similar documents, followed by the Treaty of Kruszwica (Kruschwitz) in 1230, and the papal Golden Bull of Rieti in 1234.
Background
Konrad I of Masovia had several times and particularly in 1220 tried to conquer
Kulmerland (also Chełmno or Culmer Land) from the
Old Prussians, had partially succeeded, but was defeated and he now feared for his own land of
Masovia, which overlapped former
Prussian territory. Konrad called in the
Teutonic Order to stabilize the situation, caused by recent Masovian and many earlier Polish attempts at conquest of Prussian and other lands.
Between 1211 and 1225, the Teutonic Order, led by
Hochmeister Hermann von Salza, was present in
Transylvania's
Burzenland. Similar to Konrad of Masovia's request, they were called in by the King of
Hungary to settle, stabilize and protect the Hungarian frontier. Yet, the knights were expelled after allegedly trying to create their own state under papal authority. Therefore, in Prussia they waited until their alleged possessions were confirmed by the empire.
The Bull
The Knights were to be equipped by
Konrad I of Masovia in exchange for their support to stabilize his Masovian land:
Brother Konrad had offered and promised to furnish brother Hermann, Honorable Master of the Holy Hospital of St. Mary /of the Germans in Jerusalem (Teutonic Order)...with the land of Culm (Chelmno) between his march and the Prussians and equip them (T.O.) well, so they may take Prussia in possession... we recognize the fact, that this land is included in the realm of the empire, we trust the judgement of the Master... we recognize all land in Prussia as an ancient right of the empire ...
This imperial authorisation was signed by a large number of archbishops and heads of different states.
Later confirmation of the bull
Treaty of Kruszwica (Kruschwitz)
In 1230, the Treaty of Kruszwica (Kruschwitz) was supposedly signed, according to which Konrad granted them, and the
Order of Dobrzyń (Dobrin), Kulmerland. This document does not exist anymore, and some sources say that the Order had forged it.
Golden Bull of Rieti
In 1234,
Pope Gregory IX issued the Golden Bull of Rieti, confirming the prior deals, stating that the land of the Order was only subject to the Pope, not a fief of anybody.
See also
