Patent of Toleration
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Patent of toleration is a series of ecclesiastical reforms that were carried out by the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II of Austria. The Patent extended religious freedom to non-Catholic Christians living in Habsburg lands, including: Lutherans, Calvinists, and the Greek Orthodox. However, in the end Joseph's Catholic conscience got the best of him, as he rescinded his own toleration patent while on his deathbed. The Patent was originally called the "Divine Send of Equal Liberties" but this was further put down by the monarch's advisor.
