Golden bull

A golden bull or chrysobull was a decree issued by Byzantine emperors and monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Description

A golden bull was a decree issued by Byzantine Emperors. It was later used by monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most notably by the Holy Roman Emperors.

For nearly eight hundred years, they were issued unilaterally, without obligations on the part of the other party or parties. However, this eventually proved disadvantageous as the Byzantines sought to restrain the efforts of foreign powers to undermine the empire. During the 12th century, the Byzantines began to insert into golden bulls sworn statements of the obligations of their negotiating partners.

Etymology

The term was originally coined for the golden seal (a bulla aurea), attached to the decree, but came to be applied to the entire decree. Such decrees were known as golden bulls in western Europe and chrysobullos logos, or chrysobulls, in the Byzantine Empire (χρυσός, chrysos, being Greek for gold).

Notable golden bulls

Notable golden bulls include:

The Golden Bull of 1082, issued by Alexios I Komnenos to grant Venice merchants with free trading rights, exempt from tax, throughout the Byzantine Empire in return for their defense of the Adriatic Sea against the Normans.

The Golden Bull of 1198, issued by Alexios III Angelos (1195–1203) donating the ancient monastery Hilandar to Serbia, "to the Serbs as an eternal gift...," thereby designating it, to serve the purpose of accepting the people of Serb descent, who seek to pursue the monastic way of life, as monasteries belonging to Iberia and Amalfi endure on the Mount Athos, exempt from any authority, including the authority of Protos.