The article is the second of two papers concerning the end of Frisian freedom. The first paper discussed the history of the only ratified charter that confirmed the
so-called Charles Privilege that would have enacted Frisian freedom (a presumably thirteenth-century falsum). It gave a brief overview of the development of Frisian liberty in its relation to Frisian history. The present article focuses on the charter issued on September 23, 1493, by Roman King Maximilian I at the request of a delegation from the West Frisian lands. The charter text consists of five parts. The first part, the arenga, is a formal introduction. In the second part, Maximilian I praises the loyalty of the Frisians confirming their privileges, including the so-called Charles Privilege. In the third part, the Charles Privilege is rendered completely, giving it thus an official status. In the penultimate section, Maximilian modifies the Charles Privilege on two points. He wishes the Frisians not to be armed in the French manner, but to follow the custom of the Holy Roman Empire. On the second point, Maximilian I refers to Sigismund’s previous privilege of 1417 and demands the payment of a tribute. Furthermore, in the last paragraph, Maximilian calls on the Frisians to choose a potestate. As the Frisians proved unable to do so, they were eventually completely subjugated. Thus ended the Frisian freedom ended in 1498 for nearly 450 years. This paper obtains as well a complete edition of the Latin text of the charter and its English translation.
