The cities appointed their own magistrates, held diets at their own pleasure, made their local by-laws and saw to their execution.

Original cognizance of legal matters belonged to the municipal courts, appellate jurisdiction to the supreme tribunal, in which the judges were appointed by the sovereign.

The liberty of the citizen against arbitrary imprisonment was amply provided for.

The 'jus de non evocando', the habeas corpus of Holland, was re-established.
Truly, here was a fundamental law which largely, roundly, and reasonably recognized the existence of a people with hearts, heads, and hands of their own.

It was a vast step in advance of natural servitude, the dogma of the dark ages.