oubtful
issues. At the same time, his confidence in Frederic was by no
means perfect.

"The emperor is acting with perfect imperial authority and thinks
that no one has a right to dispute it, nevertheless the duke
yearns for the sanction of the electors and is set upon obtaining
it."[11] The tone taken by Charles was that of humble ignorance.
"Little instructed as I am in imperial German law, I am anxious to
have your opinion on the legal ability of the emperor to erect a
kingdom." On November 8th, in the evening, the electors present in
Treves declared that they were not exactly sure about the imperial
authority, but they were sure that it was not their duty to
discuss the legal attributes of imperial puissance.

Under these circumstances what remained to hinder the attainment
of Charles's desire? The emperor consented, and the only people
who could have stayed his consent expressly stated that his was
the final word, not theirs. It was easy for onlookers to conclude
not only that the coronation was certain but that it was done.

"Know that our lord the emperor has made the Duke of Burgundy a
king of the lands hereafter mentioned and has assured the royal
title to him and his heirs, male and female; all the territories
that he holds from the empire together with Guelderland lately
conquered, and the land of Lorraine, lately lapsed to the empire
in fief, besides the duchy of Burgundy that formerly was held from
the crown of France; also the bishoprics of Liege, Utrecht, Dolen,
and others belonging to the empire, besides a few seigniories,
also imperial fiefs. All this, royalty and principalities, he
receives from a Roman emperor."

So wrote Albert of Brandenburg on November 13th, trusting to the
word of an envoy who had left matters in so advanced a state when he
departed from Treves that he felt safe in concluding that achievement
had been reached.[12]

Various letters from the citizens of Berne, too, were filled with
rumours from Treves. Most extraordinary is one of November 29th,
intended to go the rounds of the Swiss confederacy, containing _exact
details of the coronation of Charles as it had taken place five days
previously_. The boundaries of the new kingdom were specified.[13]
Venice, in hot haste to please the monarch, had instantly shown
exceptional honour to the Burgundian resident. How exact it a