Ius indigenatus

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A cropped image of Prussia from "Spread of German settlements to the Eastward, 800-1400". (Full map.)

Ius indigenatus (Latin for "right of local birth") is a right which was from 15th to 18th century a requirement for people to hold office in Prussia. It limited offices and land ownership to local Prussian natives. i. e. persons from the Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights as of 1453.

When the Prussian cities (some of them Hanseatic league members) and gentry (many of German origin) seceded from the Order in 1454, it was, along with Danzig's privileges, a prerequisite for a personal union with the King of Poland. It was confirmed in 1466 by the Second Peace of Thorn which secured a large decree of autonomy for Royal Prussia. The Prussian Ius indigenatus was valid for both parts of Prussia separated in 1466, the western part, later called West Prussia, and the eastern part, from 1525 the Duchy of Prussia, later East Prussia.

At times this Prussian birth right (nationality), has been frequently ignored by the Polish side in later centuries.

In Silesia, the Silesian Ius indigenatus was customary as well.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Karin Friedrich, The Other Prussia. Royal Prussia, Poland and Liberty, 1569–1772, Cambridge, 2000, ISBN 0-521-58335-7 [1]
Michael G. Müller, Zweite Reformation und Städtische Autonomie im Königlichen Preußen. Danzig, Elbing und Thorn in der Epoche der Konfessionalisierung (1557–1660), Berlin 1998, ISBN 3-050-03215-4
Hans-Jürgen Bömelburg, Zwischen polnischer Ständegesellschaft und preußischem Obrigkeitsstaat. Vom Königlichen Preußen zu Westpreußen (1756–1806), München 1995, ISBN 3-486-56127-8