Bruchmeister
Bruchmeister is an honorary post from the city of Hanover in Lower Saxony . Four gentlemen are appointed by the mayor of the city for a period of one year and perform representative tasks.
history
The owners of this office mentioned in 1303 in the first civil register were Gysecone de Lubeke, Hermano de Rintelen, Lud [olf] Luceken and Henrico Seldenbut. They are also known as the “first break masters” of the city of Hanover.
The office of Bruchmeister probably goes back to the magistris discipline of the city of Hanover , first mentioned in 1303 . These had to ensure that order was maintained, for example during festivities. They monitored compliance with the laws and (ordinances) regulations issued by the city and punished the violation (breach). In order violations they could a sending off express or removed a disturber of the peace of the city. Another task was the order of men, fines for the city council of cashing. These became due when the dress, marriage, wedding, baptismal or burial rules etc. were broken. For example, the maximum number of place settings and guests, the type and quantity of dishes and the duration of the celebrations were regulated. Also supports to music and dance were observed.
The combing registers for the next two centuries contain (almost) annual entries on the income of fractions. Already in the first preserved combing register from 1386 we find 20½ pounds , 5 shillings “van Broke” (von Bruchten) among the receipts . The order lords were first mentioned as "Brokeheren" in the town servants' register in 1518. The income from the Brokeheren's fines was considerable, so Bernd Live received 144 pounds and 7 shillings in fines in 1526, Brokeher Johann Fyningh in 1534 even 630½ pounds. Since 1535, the names of all brokeheren have been recorded in the city servants' register.
If the tasks were limited to enforcing and demanding the regulations and city revenue set by the council, they succeeded towards the end of the 16th century in expanding the scope of their powers to make their own decisions. The Bruchmeister had " lower jurisdiction " and could independently impose punishments.
The Brokeheren belonged to one of the most respected urban groups. It is known from the records that this office was held almost exclusively by the city's leading and most influential families. Many of the sons of councilors and mayors became break lords and sooner or later they themselves became councilors, mayors or at least held other city offices. Henning Ludeke was elected as the youngest mayor at the age of 39, having previously held the office of Bruchmeister. In the 165 years that this office has been listed in the city servants' registers, 77 break lords have made the leap to councilor or mayor.
Brokehern's oath of office is preserved from 1631 : “ Dat wy duth year of the city tho gude Broke Hern sin sake, and in the Ambt vlietich are found, Broke, Tynse and all of all unvorwietlik bored without respecting the person. As God help us "
Translation: “ That we want to be Bruchmeister for the benefit of the city this year, and are found diligent in this office, demanding punishment, interest and all of the unprovable fees regardless of person. So help us God. "
Since 1671 the Brokeheren have been listed in the register as broke and tax lords , from 1679 onwards only the term tax lords is used in the city officials register . After an order from the sovereign, the municipal honorary posts were no longer filled from 1697, but the old office holders remained in office. With the new city constitution of 1699, these honorary posts were replaced by paid employees.
Bruchmeister and Schützenfest
The earliest connection between the Schützenfest Hannover and the Bruchmeisters is documented by an account from 1659: The breakers were guests at the feast on the occasion of the Schützenfest, the list of costs was retained in the city files.
In the municipal rifle regulations of 1710, the office of break master reappears, it says that the workers “ ... are commanded to choose two break masters, which no one of our citizens would oppose by avoiding a fine of 5 thalers, nor to accept the ambt should refuse to some extent ”.
All Hanoverian citizens who wanted to take part in the municipal “Frey Shooting” had to take part in the large rifle march. Compliance with this regulation was the job of the Bruchmeister, whoever did not march and still wanted to participate, had to pay a fine of 1 Taler to the “Bruchkasse”.
Since 1825, the Bruchmeister have also carried the municipal standards (at that time still flags ) for the 4 trains of the rifle march. You will each receive an expense allowance of 6 thalers.
appointment
Since the 14th century, the requirements that a citizen of Hanover must meet, who apply for the office of break master: He must be " single, innocent, of good repute and character " and since 1935 also a member of one of the shooting clubs in Hanover . Furthermore, the applicant must not be older than 35 years. During his year in office, he must be available to the city for representation at all times . The incumbent Bruchmeister currently receives a one-off expense allowance of 175 euros for his services (for the entire year; up to 2001: 300 DM; up to 2010: 150 euros; up to 2012: 155 euros).
The candidates are (currently) proposed by the presidents of the shooting clubs from among their members. The Association of Hannoverscher Schützenvereine (VHS) then asks all applicants to take a test in which they have to answer questions about the city's history, the shooting scene and the tradition of the Bruchmeister. The four most suitable candidates are then proposed as Bruchmeister candidates to the City Council of Hanover. If the mayor has approved their appointment , they will be presented to the city council and committed as break masters for one year (until the next shooting festival) at the beginning of the shooting festival on "Friday before the first Monday in July" in the domed hall of the town hall.
clothing
In the still valid dress code of Bruchmeister of 1905 which is Amtstracht the break gentlemen defined: "Born is a black cut black trousers, white vest and a white bow tie and a black cylinder with cloverleaf (the heraldic symbol of Hanover)."
Former
After the end of the year of office, the break masters can join the "Collegium former break masters of the capital Hanover". The Collegium and the current Bruchmeister are socially and culturally involved in the city of Hanover.