The Emperor as arbitrator – Ludwig the Bavarian’s settlement agreements

In medieval arbitration, when one speaks of a settlement, it basically more or less means the consensual result of the settlement of a dispute between two parties. However, its special feature must be noted here: in contrast to the ordinary courts, which could also be biased depending on the place of jurisdiction, settlements offered the possibility of resolving the conflict through neutral mediators. The parties agreed on one or more impartial third parties who took on the task of finding a compromise acceptable to both sides. Similar procedures still exist today. Beyond his role as supreme judge in ordinary court proceedings, Ludwig the Bavarian (born 1282/86, ruled 1314-1347) was also asked for arbitration awards, which he gave to ensure peace and legal security in his realm. In return, he could promise himself the loyalty of the then reconciled disputing parties. This also applied to the notorious conflicts between the citizens and clerical estates in Augsburg.

Katharina Bayer