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Lex Carolina

A Legal History of Queer Sexualities in the Holy Roman Empire: The Constitutio Criminalis Carolina

A photo of the Constitutio Criminalis Carolina.

The Holy Roman Empire can often be difficult to talk about in sweeping terms because of its decentralized nature. But in 1530, the Constitutio Criminalis Carolina (also known as the Lex Carolina), would mark the first body of German criminal law and attempt to unite the various principalities and kingdoms in the Empire. It also set the foundation for the prosecution of queer identity and life.…

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