Fridericianum (1244)
The Fridericianum from 1244 was a general Jewish ordinance issued by Duke Friedrich II and one of the most humane Jewish laws of the Middle Ages. This Jewish privilege was adopted almost word for word by the rulers of many neighboring countries (Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, Silesia).
history
The Jewish settlement of Vienna began in the late 12th century. On ducal territory and as chamber servants of the Duke were the Jews under special legal protection, they were not under the city a judge, but a ducal official, the Jewish judge (index Judaeorum) or their own judgment ( Din Torah ). The duke employed Jewish officials and counselors in contravention of the canon law of the time (separation of Christians and Jews).
Since the trade and the guilds were almost completely dominated by Christians, the Jews concentrated on lending money . One of the reasons why the interest was so high was that the taxes paid to the ruler were very high. In the Fridericianum 1244 the rate of interest was then set at 8 pfennigs per talent and week, approx. 173% annually, a very high amount. This gave rise to the first hostility towards Jews , because more and more Christians were dependent on Jewish money lenders.
When in 1236 Emperor Frederick II. On the Duke the Imperial ban imposed, the citizens of Vienna opened (except Neustadt) the imperial army voluntarily the gates of the city. Jews were removed from all public offices and in 1238 a Jewish code similar to the German one was issued. After a long siege in 1239, Vienna again submitted to the Duke, Frederick II withdrew the city charter from the emperor and restored the old city charter from 1221. On July 1, 1244, he issued a new law on Jews, the Fridericianum 1244 , which is to apply for the next 200 years.
Contents (excerpt)
- §1: In financial and property law disputes that affect a Jew, “no Christian can be admitted to testify against a Jew, except with a Christian and a Jew”.
- §9: If a Christian wounds a Jew, he pays the ducal chamber a fine of 12 marks gold, the Jew 12 marks silver and medical expenses.
- §10: "Any Christian who kills a Jew should be punished with death" and his property goes to the duke.
- §12: Jews are allowed to move freely beyond the borders.
- §13: Deceased Jews may “be transferred from one city, province or rule to another” without having to pay a price at the customs office.
- §14: The death penalty is incurred for desecrating Jewish cemeteries.
- §15: The service in the synagogues must not be disturbed.
- §21: "Anyone who lays violent hands on a Jew should have their hand cut off."
- §22: The Christian Jewish guard is only responsible for internal Jewish disputes if he is expressly called upon.
- §23: Pledge and interest must be paid by the Christian.
- §24: No compulsory billeting in Jewish houses.
- §27: If a pledge has remained with the Jew for year and day, he is not responsible for it.
- §28: Deposit redemption may not be requested on Jewish holidays.
- §29: Christian violence in Jewish homes is prohibited.
- §30: Trial against Jews only coram suis scolis or before the duke.
- §31: The interest rate is 8 pfennigs per pound per week.
The privilege primarily regulated economic matters, particularly in the mortgage and credit business, where the Jews were given numerous special rights. The place of jurisdiction was exclusively the synagogue (or directly with the duke). With this law, Frederick II further appropriated the Jewish shelf .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Kurt Schubert : The history of Austrian Jewry . Böhlau Verlag, Vienna 2008, ISBN 978-3-205-77700-7 , pp. 23–24.
- ↑ Between privilege and persecution. Retrieved May 20, 2019 .