Thus one object of the conference was attained, and all the world thought it was only a question of time when the greater investiture would be celebrated.  Charles’s star was in the ascendant.  There seemed no limit to the power he had acquired over his suzerain, who apparently graciously nodded assent to his requests, while the duke, too, withdrawing from his alliance with the King of Hungary, appeared very conciliatory in all doubtful issues.  At the same time, his confidence in Frederic was by no means perfect.

“The emperor is acting with perfect imperial authority and thinks that no one has a right to dispute it, nevertheless the duke yearns for the sanction of the electors and is set upon obtaining it."[11] The tone taken by Charles was that of humble ignorance.  “Little instructed as I am in imperial German law, I am anxious to have your opinion on the legal ability of the emperor to erect a kingdom.”  On November 8th, in the evening, the electors present in Treves declared that they were not exactly sure about the imperial authority, but they were sure that it was not their duty to discuss the legal attributes of imperial puissance.

Under these circumstances what remained to hinder the attainment of Charles’s desire?  The emperor consented, and the only people who could have stayed his consent expressly stated that his was the final word, not theirs.  It was easy for onlookers to conclude not only that the coronation was certain but that it was done.

“Know that our lord the emperor has made the Duke of Burgundy a king of the lands hereafter mentioned and has assured the royal title to him and his heirs, male and female; all the territories that he holds from the empire together with Guelderland lately conquered, and the land of Lorraine, lately lapsed to the empire in fief, besides the duchy of Burgundy that formerly was held from the crown of France; also the bishoprics of Liege, Utrecht, Dolen, and others belonging to the empire, besides a few seigniories, also imperial fiefs.  All this, royalty and principalities, he receives from a Roman emperor.”

So wrote Albert of Brandenburg on November 13th, trusting to the word of an envoy who had left matters in so advanced a state when he departed from Treves that he felt safe in concluding that achievement had been reached.[12]

Various letters from the citizens of Berne, too, were filled with rumours from Treves.  Most extraordinary is one of November 29th, intended to go the rounds of the Swiss confederacy, containing exact details of the coronation of Charles as it had taken place five days previously.  The boundaries of the new kingdom were specified.[13] Venice, in hot haste to please the monarch, had instantly shown exceptional honour to the Burgundian resident.  How exact it all sounded!  Yet there was no truth in it.