pragmatic sanction
noun
1- historical an imperial or royal ordinance or decree that has the force of law〈史〉（具有法律效力的）皇规, 天子之令; 国事诏书。
1.1
Pragmatic Sanction
a document drafted in 1717 by the Emperor Charles VI providing for his daughter Maria Theresa to succeed to all his territories should he die without a son. Opposition to it led to the War of the Austrian Succession on Charles's death in 1740.《天子之令》（1717年查理六世签署的一个文件, 规定如果他去世时无子, 女儿玛利亚·特丽萨将继承全部领土; 1740年查理王去世, 对这一签署令的反对引发了奥地利皇位继承战）。
词源
translating Law Latin pragmatica sanctio.