Privilegium maius

The Privilegium Maius was a medieval document issued in 1356 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It granted the German cities of Nuremberg, Frankfurt, and the emperor’s birthplace, Prague, special privileges, such as independence from local lords, self-governance, and important rights within the empire. This document helped define urban freedoms and established principles for city rights, impacting how cities developed politically and economically in Central Europe. Essentially, it formalized and elevated the status of these cities, giving them a recognized degree of autonomy and influence.