Germany
The Golden Bull
Issued in 1356, so named for the golden seals attached to the document, this proclamation defined the basic rules of imperial government. It introduced little innovation; it was rather a confirmation of existing practices. For the remainder of imperial history, it formed the core of the constitution of the Holy Roman Empire.
Probably the most important aspect of the Golden Bull was that it set out in detail the rules for the election of the King of the Romans. The king had long been chosen by the seven Electors, but the Bull broke the papal hold by confirming that onlythe seven electors had the right to choose. In other words, the election itself was sufficient and papal approval was not needed. No longer could the popes meddle in imperial affairs by refusing to recognize the king.
The Golden Bull set forth in detail the rules governing the procedure and authority of the election. Electoral territories were forbidden to be dismembered or otherwise alienated, which really represents the triumph of the princes. The seven Electors could never have their power undermined by having their lands dispersed. Equally important, the Bull confirmed that any estates that reverted to the Emperor must be granted back out within one year; in other words, the Emperor could not build up imperial lands in the way the kings of England and France were doing.
The princes were confirmed in their powers, specifically to coin money, to legislate, and to hold monopolies on the mining of gold and silver. This was all income that could never go to the Emperor himself. The Emperor was to be merely the leader of a confederation of independent princes.
Germany as an empire from this point on becomes less important, and the German territorial states take center stage. In fact, the Germany of our period is sometimes called the "Germany of the princes." The practical powers represented by the Golden Bull were not counter-acted because no strong emperor appears after this point, not until the 16th century. By that time, the princely position was unassailable.