Perpetual Edict (1611)
The Perpetual Edict of 12 July 1611 was a decree of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella governing legal process in the Southern Netherlands. It consisted of 47 clauses laying out the basic rules of criminal and civil procedure. It was printed in both Dutch and French by Rutger Velpius, printer to the court. The edict had a fundamental impact on the codification of customary law, which it did much to encourage. It also placed a legal obligation on parish churches to register births, marriages and deaths, and on local magistrates to ensure that the secular authorities obtained a copy of such registers each year.Studies
- Antonius Anselmo, Commentaria ad perpetuum edictum serenissimorum Belgii principum Alberti et Isabellae evulgatum 12. Iulii. M.DC.XI, ; 2nd edition 1664 ; 3rd edition 1701
- Georges Martyn, Het Eeuwig Edict van 12 juli 1611: Zijn genese en zijn rol in de verschriftelijking van het privaatrecht.
