The rights of the „Kammerknechte“: Privileges for Jews

Friedrich II (born 1194, ruled 1212-1250) concretised the position of the Jews in the empire for the first time in 1236 and designated them as "Kammerknechte" (serfs of the imperial chamber or "servi camerae Imperatoris"). By forming this servitude to the chamber, the protection of the Jews became a regal, a royal right of rule. The king acted as the supreme protector of the Jews. Through the servitude to the chamber, the Jews received, in addition to the right to life and property, other rights such as to admission to a town, freedom of economic activity and religious practice. On the other hand, the emperor was allowed to tax and expel them. All this was granted, renewed and confirmed by the emperor in the form of privileges. The Jewish communities were interested in extended privileges that would allow them to act as autonomously as possible within their community in legal matters as well as in the religious sphere. Furthermore, protection was of great importance, as they were repeatedly exposed to persecution.

Ludwig the Bavarian (born 1282/86, ruled 1314-1347) increasingly granted the Jewish protection rights to third parties and pledged the Jewish tax. The revenue generated from this went into funding his policies. The lords of the city and cities that acquired privileges or rights to protect Jews also benefited financially. They were able to collect taxes and use the extensive trade networks of the Jewish communities. The transfer of Jewish protection rights and taxes led to imperial cities increasingly taking on protective roles. In doing so, they guaranteed the lives and property of Jewish community members, provided assistance in the collection of debts, and in some cases granted Jews city-specific rights or citizenship. However, the emperor was still responsible for granting and confirming privileges, which meant that in practice the Jews were usually confronted with several patrons.

Gabriele Schaffner