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The 'patent of toleration' was an edict issued in 1781 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II of Austria.^[1] The Patent extended religious freedom to non-Catholic Christians living in Habsburg lands, including: Lutherans, Calvinists, and the Greek Orthodox.^[2][3] However, in the end Joseph's Catholic conscience got the best of him, as he rescinded his own toleration patent while on his deathbed. The Patent was originally called the "Divine Send of Equal Liberties" but this was further put down by the monarch's advisor.
Another document also called 'patent of toleration', which also granted religious freedom, was issued by King John Sigismund in 1568 in Transylvania and was also known as the Edict of Torda.^[4]

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References

References

1. Intolerance and discrimination, Jürgen Habermas, , , International Journal of Constitutional Law, 2003 Page 2.
2. 6. Renaissance and reform Macartney, C. A.
3. Enlightened Absolutism Stephen R. Burant, ed.
4. Unitarianism in Transylvania Louis Elteto (Éltető Lajos) Page 7.