Defence of the city

Like all other citizens, the members of the Jewish community of Regensburg had certain obligations. In 1251, King Konrad IV (died 1254) called on all inhabitants to comply with the ordinances on the defence of the city. Clerical and secular individuals, irrespective of their class, were to follow the city rules and assist with the defence of the city.

King Konrad explicitly included the Jews in this call, who, as kammerknechte (serfs of the royal chamber), were subject directly to the king. For, as the copy of the document states, those who live together in the city (dy ein gleichs leb(e)n mit den ander(e)n aufnem(m)en) should also be covered by the same laws (entpfind(e)n auch in gesetzz(e)n gleiche straff).

Just how important this order was is evidenced by the repeated confirmations and copies in city books. The original Latin document and a German translation were still in circulation in the 15th century. They were also entered in the Rotes Privilegienbuch (Red Book of Privileges) of the City of Regensburg, which was not produced until the 15th century.