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Ordinance for the Bakers of Regensburg (June 17, 1588)

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[11] If their own innkeeper, however, does not serve adequate food or drink, they have the right to drink at another tavern and have the right to take seats there.

[12] Item, when a baker’s apprentice wants to become a master he must already have worked for two years as a helper for one or two master bakers in this city, so that he thoroughly understands the baker’s and the sifter’s crafts. This shall be formally tested and examined. The masters’ sons, however, shall be exempt, because they have been tested by working for their fathers. Whoever does not pass the test within three months shall never be admitted to the test again.

[13] Item, every month on a Sunday, the apprentices shall assemble at the appointed hour and not earlier, because they must also attend Mass, under penalty of six Regensburg pence.

[14] And if it should happen that one or more apprentices fail to meet these requirements, this should be recorded by the guild, with the city council’s consent, as is the custom in other places.

[15] Item, no apprentice or helper shall be excluded from any aspect of the baker’s work, nor shall he refuse to do it. The bakers shall behave toward the apprentices and helpers in their work as is proper. The apprentices and helpers have the liberty to command the younger employees, so that the bakers may be less hindered in their work.

[16] Every baker’s apprentice, whether married or single, who wishes to practice the craft as a miller, sifter, or baker at the baking houses, shall join and support the brotherhood.

[17] Item, henceforth whoever wants to work should pay his entrance into the guild, and everyone must pay four kreuzer to register.

[18] Item, when he goes to work, every baker’s apprentice shall wear his jacket and not his smock, under penalty of ten kreuzer.*

[19] Item, when a baker’s apprentice or youth misbehaves with respect to the collections, or willfully slanders another, he shall pay the shop 34 Regensburger [pence].

[20] Whoever goes to the chest and makes his deposit and keeps his hat on rather than doffing it shall pay a fine of one kreuzer.

[21] Item, whoever does not lay down his payment with the right hand or throws the money on the table shall pay a fine of one kreuzer.

[22] Item, whoever leaves before the meeting is adjourned shall pay a penalty of fifteen Viennese [pence].

[23] Item, whoever brings complaint to a meeting around the chest, and does not stand but remains sitting, shall pay a fine of one kreuzer.

[24] Item, if one or more are fined, they shall pay their fines before the apprentices disperse, while the meeting is still going on. If that does not happen, and someone does not pay his fine, he shall be liable to pay twice the amount.

[25] Item, according to the old custom, each year two dinners shall be held at the inn, one on Pentecost and the other on Christmas. All the apprentices and younger employees and the bakers’ sons shall take part. Those who do not come, whether bakers’ sons or others, shall be liable to pay for half-a-round of drinks.



* The kreuzer was both a silver coin and a unit of currency, valued at one-sixtieth of a florin. It was common in the southern German lands, whereas the northern lands used groschen – trans.

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