JOSEPH I: (1678-1711) Holy Roman Emperor 1705-11. A good, scarce D.S., Joseph, as Holy Roman Emperor, two pages ...

JOSEPH I: (1678-1711) Holy Roman Emperor 1705-11. A good, scarce D.S., Joseph, as Holy Roman Emperor, two pages, small folio, Vienna, 20th October 1706, in German. The attractively printed document is addressed to Christophorus, Prelate of Aggsbach ('Dear Sublime, Devout Minister') and states, in part, 'The wonderful hand of God has helped us and our allies to successfully counter the ambitions of the French crown. And this despite the fact that the renegade subjects of the beloved Hereditary Kingdom of Hungary, who have allied themselves with the French crown, do not cease to pillage, to set fires and to commit murders in our neighbouring lands. We have therefore decided to hold the state parliament in our residence in Vienna on the 9th of the next month to consider the situation. We ask that you appear on that day, neglecting all of your other matters, to participate in the consultation. I also ask you to comment during this consultation and to stay until the end to await the results of the discussion…..' With two countersignatures at the foot including that of the Chancellor of Seilern-Aspang. With integral address leaf bearing a blind embossed paper seal. Documents signed by Joseph I are scarce as a result of his untimely death at the age of 32 during the smallpox epidemic of 1711. A few light, minor stains, not affecting the Holy Roman Emperor's signature, otherwise VG Joseph I continued the War of the Spanish Succession, which had begun by his father against King Louis XIV of France, in a fruitless attempt to make his younger brother Charles (later Emperor Charles VI) King of Spain. Joseph I also had to contend with a protracted revolt in Hungary, as referred to in the present document, fomented by King Louis XIV. Neither conflict was resolved until the Treaty of Utrecht, after his death.