But Johann George, wise Kurfurst as he was, wished now to make it surer; and did so by a famed Deed, called the Gera Bond (GERAISCHE VERTRAG), dated 1598, [Michaelis, i.

345.] the last year of Johann George's life.
Hereby, in a Family Conclave held at that Gera, a little town in Thuringen, it was settled and indissolubly fixed, That their Electorate, unlike all others in Germany, shall continue indivisible; Law of Primogeniture, here if nowhere else, is to be in full force; and only the Culmbach Territory (if otherwise unoccupied) can be split off for younger sons.

Culmbach can be split off; and this again withal can be split, if need be, into two (Baireuth and Anspach); but not in any case farther.

Which Household-Law was strictly obeyed henceforth.

Date of it 1598; principal author, Johann George, Seventh Elector.