Niederösterreich / Landrecht, Verfügung vom 9. Januar 1816, Abschrift Beethovens

Beethoven made this copy of a decree at the beginning of a court case, which lasted several years, concerning the guardianship of Karl van Beethoven, the composer's nephew. After the death of her husband Johanna van Beethoven became co-guardian together with Ludwig van Beethoven. Following this Ludwig wrote a long letter to the Lower Austrian Landrecht (kind of tribunal) on 20 December 1815, detailing why he lays claim to the guardianship of the boy instead of the mother. On account of his letter he received this copied decree from the Landrecht on 9 January 1816 with the desired positive response.