Commentary on the Splendor of the Arch-Offices in the Coronations of Charles VII, Maria Amalia, and Francis

Every Elector also had his own table in the same dining room, one step high under a canopy; the Trier legate's was opposite the Caesar, and the others were alternately on either side of him. Behind the Trier table in the middle of the dining room, another was prepared for the Princes of the Empire, without a step or canopy. But no one sat at these except both Electors, and that by ancient rite. When the meal was finished, the Brandenburg legate again offered the water for the Caesar's hands. The Elector of Mainz said the "Gratias" Grace/Thanks before the table, with the Elector of Cologne and the Trier legate responding. After this, the Emperor, having had the crown placed back on his head by his master of the court, departed for his chamber with the Electors and legates accompanying him. Those counts departed as well, just as the first legates from the house of Count von Schoenberg had arrived at the town hall in three carriages drawn by six horses while the august banquet was still in full swing. When there was any delay, it pleased his Imperial Majesty to return to his palace around the seventh hour of the evening, shining with august lights. Therefore, the Palatine and Hanoverian legates, the Saxon and Brandenburg, the Trier and Bavarian were driven in those three carriages. The carriers of the insignia—the globe, scepter, domestic crown, and sword—followed on horseback. All these preceded Emperor Charles VII, who was riding in a carriage and surrounded by guards. Behind the Caesar, the Electors of Mainz and Cologne rode in one carriage. Now, however, the Counts of the Empire were received at the sumptuous banquet in the chamber, which was sacred to the deliberations of the recent election, at two tables at the expense of the Caesar. In the adjacent rooms, several tables were likewise set for the nobles of the imperial and electoral courts. In the chamber where the senate is accustomed to meet in the city, the same honor was given to the deputies of Aachen and Nuremberg 17) The imperial city of Cologne also relies on ancient law to assist through deputies in the choir and at the table during the time of the august coronation, and when it was now past, it obtained letters of its hope and better things from Charles VII. They are set forth in the Additions to the Diary of the Coronation, p. 11, no. 3, and p. 13, no. 4., as well as to the Frankfurt magistracy. In the meantime, the Emperor had approached his palace. The Electors and legates with the standard-bearers followed him into the chamber. The