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6. Gregory VII. carry'd this still farther, for on a dispute with the Emperor Henry IV. He declar'd the Imperial Throne Void, & freed the Emperor's subjects from their oaths of fidelity.

Upon this Rodolphe D. of Swabia note +A. 1077. /note was elected Emperor at Forcheim addition + /addition, where it was declar'd that this dignity should for the future be Elective, tho' it had insensibly become hereditary; till the demise of note symbol A. 1197. /note Henry symbol VI. this decree was not regarded, the nearest relation of the deceas'd Emperor succeeding without any other Ceremony than that of being acknowledg'd.

Till Frederic II. time the Emperors were elcted in a general Assembly of the Nobility, Clergy & Deputys of Towns, those that could not attend, employ'd the great officers of the Emprie to Vote for them, who ecreasing in property, & in the number