Ernewerte Policey: und Tax-Ordnung: eines Ehrs: Raths dess Heyl: Römischen Reichs Statt Augspurg.

(GERMANY).

Andream Aperger, auff unser L. Frawn Thor

Augsburg

1656

Woodcut of double-headed eagle on title page; elaborate initial letter ‘D’ on p. 1. Uncut.

The Free Imperial City of Augsburg issued these police and tax regulations shortly after the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48). They include regulations concerning the trade of tobacco, taxes on alcohol, the prohibition of extra surcharges, issues cconcerning weights and measures, etc. The decree explicitly prohibits all forms of borrowing money from Jews. Beginning in 1456 no Jews were permitted to dwell in Augsburg (located in south-west Bavaria). In 1540 the Council decided that Jews could visit no longer than a day and a night in the town, throughout which time they were accompanied by a city-appointed officer to watch them - a ‘service’ for which the Jews themselves had to pay. During the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) some Jews came to Augsburg, but by 1649 they were again driven out and residence was forbidden. This 1656 edict clearly demonstrates that there remained contacts between the population of Augsburg and visiting Jews, although the latter were still not permitted to live in the city.