The City as Debtor

The City of Regensburg itself also took out loans with Regensburg Jews. For example, the mayor Berchtolt der Ergoltspechk, the city council and the community of its citizens issued a bond to the Jewish community of Regensburg. The original has not survived; this copy in the Schwarzes Stadtbuch (Black City Book) can therefore only be dated on the basis of the mayor's time in office. This tells us that the transaction took place at some point between 1345 and 1354.

The City had borrowed 500 pounds Regensburg pfennigs from the Jewish community. The debt was to be repaid in the form of a discount on the regular Schatzsteuer (wealth tax) on the community, which was due at "Mittervasten" (in the middle of Lent, possibly on Laetare Sunday). Were a sum then still outstanding, the City was to repay it on that same date. As security, they committed to the Einlager (conditional hostageship) of four councillors. This meant that in the event of default on payment, the Jews had the right to require – at their discretion – four councillors to present themselves at and remain in a reputable inn (erlichen gastheusern) at the councillors' own cost until such time as the debt was paid.

The City of Regensburg did not just owe the Jewish community money; it also had debts to Christian and Jewish individuals. A cost sheet in the Gelbes Stadtbuch (Yellow City Book) indicates that the municipal representatives had debts with the Jews Sadion (718 guilders), Noe (620 guilders) and Gnendlein (8 pounds of Regensburg pfennigs) in 1389. The list records that there were also Christians who were still to receive money.