Transfer of rights

As there was not yet a generally applicable body of law, many things were governed by the granting of rights in privileges. Individuals, families and groups of people or towns had various rights granted or confirmed in this way.

Emperor Ludwig IV the Bavarian (died 1347) issued this document to the Imperial City of Regensburg on 24 November 1342. In it, he reconciled with the mayor, the city council and the community of citizens of Regensburg. He also extended the protection of the empire to the city and its citizens. The document confirmed all rights of Christians and Jews that the emperor had previously granted to them. Ludwig also emphasised the order of King Konrad IV (reigned 1237-1254) from 1251, under which the Jews, his "kammerknechte" (serfs of the royal chamber), together with the other citizens of the city, were to bear all the expenses of the city.

As many of these privileges were of great importance to the city and its citizens, the city repeatedly had them confirmed by new rulers. Cartuleries were created to record important documents.

One particularly impressive example is the Rotes Privilegienbuch (Red Book of Privileges) of the City of Regensburg, which was produced in the 15th century. It contains numerous colourful portraits of the rulers whose privileges had been recorded in the book. The document from Ludwig the Bavarian of 1342 is one of the texts in the Red Book of Privileges.