pragmatic sanction

noun

any one of various imperial decrees with the effect of fundamental law.
(initial capital letters) History/Historical.
1. any of several imperial or royal decrees limiting the power or privilege of the papacy, as the decree of Charles VII of France in 1438 or that of the Diet of Mainz in 1439.
2. the imperial decree of Charles VI of Austria in 1713, by which his daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited his dominions.

pragmatic sanction

an edict, decree, or ordinance issued with the force of fundamental law by a sovereign

Discover More

Which runs directly into the throat of said Pragmatic Sanction; and engages to make it, mere waste sheepskin, so to speak!

His father had guaranteed the pragmatic sanction, but as the conditions on which the guarantee had Frederick the Great.

Pragmatic Sanction like to be ruined; and Walpole furiously thrown out: what a pair of sorrows for poor George!

This new law of succession Charles issued under the name of the Pragmatic Sanction.

By this treaty all the contracting powers gave their assent to the Pragmatic Sanction.

Browse