Patent of toleration was a series of ecclesiastical reforms carried out by the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II of Austria (1765-1790). The Patent of Toleration extended religious freedom to non-Catholic Christians within Habsburg lands, including: Lutherans, Calvinists, and the Greek Orthodox. In the end, however, Joseph's Catholic conscience got the best of him, as he rescinded his own toleration patent while on his deathbed. The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ... Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II Joseph II (Josef Benedict August Johannes Anton Michel Adam) (March 13, 1741 – February 20, 1790) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790. ... Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy; also used as the flag of the Austrian Empire until the Ausgleich of 1867. ... Mr wadawits smells Luthers seal Lutheranism is a Christian tradition based upon the main theological insights of Martin Luther. ... Calvinism is a system of Christian theology and an approach to Christian life and thought within the Protestant tradition articulated by John Calvin, a Protestant Reformer in the 16th century, and subsequently by successors, associates, followers and admirers of Calvin, his interpretation of Scripture, and perspective on Christian life and... The Eastern Orthodox Church is a religious organization which claims to be the continuation of the original Christian body, founded by Jesus and his Twelve Apostles. ...