---- The Joyeuse Entry (in Dutch Blijde Inkomst ) is an act dated from the January 3rd 1356 which confirms the Charte of Kortenberg and guarantees the indivisibility of the Duché of the Brabant and the identity of the Brabant vis-a-vis a foreign duke. At the time, the new year was fixed in the Brabant at the Easter Day, so that it is sometimes dated January 3rd, 1355 (in old the Calendrier Julien and where the year 1355 finishes in March).

For five decades, the government of the duchy of the Brabant had been governed by the Charte of Kortenberg, that the duke Jean {{II}} had signed in 1312. The December 5th 1355, the duke Jean {{III}} died by leaving only three girls. The duchy of the Brabant riquait to be divided between the three girls, situation which was likely to put an end to the Council of Kortenberg. In order to avoid this situation, this one worked out a charter, known as Joyeuse Entry , which it presented to Jeanne of the Brabant, the girl elder of Jean, and with his husband Venceslas {{Ier}} of Luxembourg, who signed it.

The act of Merry Entry took again many articles of the Charter of Kortenberg and was used as a basis for the public law brabançon until the end of the 18th century. It took again the whole of the privileges granted by the preceding dukes, adding clauses guaranteeing the indivisibility of the duchy and specificity brabançonne vis-a-vis dukes of foreign origin. So it was a long, bulky document and without method. Its object being to limit the capacity of the dukes and their officers, it was written in negative and restrictive form.

For any act of foreign politics (alliance, declaration of war, transfer of territory and treaty), the duke was to have the assent of the assembly of the three orders (nobility, clergy and representative of the cities).

This charter, like that of Kortenberg, guaranteed to all Brabançons the benefit of justice by right and sentence. All the subjects were equal in front of the law, but this one remained applied per quantity of various courts, according to the uses in progress with the Moyen-âge. No arrest, except in the event of red-handed, could be operated without legal decree. Moreover, no Brabançon could be quoted in front of a foreign court with the duchy.

In interior policy, the representatives of the three orders voted the taxes, the striking of the currencies and took part in the administation of the duchy. Individual rights (personal freedom, inviolability of the residence) were also guaranteed.

Lastly, the act of Merry Entry took again Charter of Kortenberg the right of resistance to the duke if this one do not respect its engagements.

Thereafter, it is question of the Merry Entries with Brussels, made by the sovereigns of Brabant :

• Philippe the Good in 1430  ;
• Charles Bold the in 1467   ;
• Philippe the Beautiful and Jeanne de Castille in 1496.

It seems that it is a kind of presentation of the new sovereigns to the people, who gave place to rejoicings and festivals and the new dukes were préter the oath to probably respect the act of Merry Entry.

---- The English Magna Carta, signed in 1215 is a contemporary equivalent of the Merry Entry.

Source

• Site internet : The duchy of the Brabant of 1293 to 1384.