to the Emperor (privilegium de non evocando) permission to display certain symbols of rule Rudolf also created the title Pfalzerzherzog ("Archduke Palatine"), similar to the Elector Palatine of the Rhine, the holder of an electoral vote. The first Habsburg ruler who actually used the title of an archduke was Ernest of Iron, ruler of Inner Austria from 1406 to 1424. From the 15th century onward, all princes of the Habsburg dynasty were called Erzherzöge. Effects Emperor Charles IV refused to confirm the Privilegium maius, although he accepted some claims. The discoverer of the forgery was his advisor, the poet and scholar Petrarch. However, Frederick III, having become Holy Roman Emperor, was able to confirm the document and made it part of imperial law, thus making fiction become fact. From then on, the status as claimed by the document became widely accepted. Frederick also extended the Privilegium Maius by granting the power of ennoblement for his family as hereditary rulers of Austria (this power was normally reserved for the emperor). Thus, the act of confirmation by Frederick was what elevated the House of Habsburg to a special rank within the Empire. The Privilegium maius had great influence on the Austrian political landscape. The Habsburg archduke arrogated an almost king-like position, and demonstrated this to outsiders through the usage of special insignia. The Habsburgs gained a new foundation for their rule in these lands; in a way, the House of Habsburg and Austria became a single unit. The family subsequently published special editions of the documents, and forbade all discussion of their authenticity.<ref name=heimann>Heinz-Dieter Heimann: Die Habsburger. Dynastie und Kaiserreiche. . pp.30-35</ref> With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the Privilegium maius'' finally lost its meaning. In 1852, it was proven a forgery by historian Wilhelm Wattenbach. Notes References External links Privilegium maius at the Aeiou Encyclopedia 14th century in Austria Document forgeries Political forgery Medieval documents House of Habsburg