The same rights for all?

Just as Regensburg's citizens had certain rights, there were also various obligations incumbent upon them.

One entry in the Schwarzes Stadtbuch (Black City Book) recounts some of those rights and obligations: on 13 March 1331, Emperor Ludwig IV the Bavarian (died 1347) granted the citizens of Regensburg the right to impose duties (a consumption tax) on wine, bread, mead, grain and other foods and drinks as Emperor Heinrich, his predecessor, had done. The right to serve wine was linked to citizenship. He also repeated the order of King Konrad IV (died 1254) of 1251 that both clerics and secular leaders and indeed the Regensburg Jews, his kammerknechte, had to comply with all city laws and duties as did other citizens.

The Gelbes Stadtbuch (Yellow City Book) also records another common duty of the people of Regensburg: an extensive entry was added on 13 May 1408 that contains the announcement of a tournament in that same year. The council also proclaimed Turnierfrieden (safe conduct for the tournament) and passed a council regulation on security measures.

There is a detailed description of who was to provide how many armed individuals as security personnel for the tournament. The Jews of Regensburg were also called upon to contribute as part of the city community: they were to arm 36 Christians. Two captains were assigned to those Christians. Jews with knowledge of defence were personally required to participate in the security measures.