A burgerbuch is a register of citizens in a particular location. "Der Stadt Mülhausen priviligirtes Bürgerbuch, bis zur Vereinigung dieser Republik mit Frankreich, im Jahr 1798" (Ehrsam, 1850) was a list of citizens in the city of Mulhouse, before the city's unification with the Republic of France in 1798.
All local citizens were conferred the legal privilege of citizen rights on their wedding day. People who were not born in Mulhouse had to satisfy a number of conditions before they could be named citizens, including being free, having a legitimate birth, living in the city for at least three years, having his own house, and having trained for three years with a guild.
Originally the city was ruled by a Council consisting of 12 councillors (or senators), of which four were from the nobility and eight from noble bourgeois families - the "Eight citizens" or patricians.
In 1448 the government took a more democratic form, with the citizenry divided into six guilds. The Council then consisted of 12 aldermen and 12 guild masters. As well as the aldermen and guild masters, there were also six "Sixes" from each guild, which were apparently only appointed in certain circumstances and usually with regard to guild matters.
From 1740, the Sixes were made up of 18 citizens, under the name of "Dreyer" - three (drei) from each guild. Also, the Council was divided into the Small and Great Council.
After the French Revolution of 1789 another 40 citizens (the Forties) were chosen to discuss matters of state in common with the Great Council of the guilds.
Also, one citizen from each guild was chosen annually as a juror in the city court.
The six guilds were:
All local citizens were conferred the legal privilege of citizen rights on their wedding day. People who were not born in Mulhouse had to satisfy a number of conditions before they could be named citizens, including being free, having a legitimate birth, living in the city for at least three years, having his own house, and having trained for three years with a guild.
Originally the city was ruled by a Council consisting of 12 councillors (or senators), of which four were from the nobility and eight from noble bourgeois families - the "Eight citizens" or patricians.
In 1448 the government took a more democratic form, with the citizenry divided into six guilds. The Council then consisted of 12 aldermen and 12 guild masters. As well as the aldermen and guild masters, there were also six "Sixes" from each guild, which were apparently only appointed in certain circumstances and usually with regard to guild matters.
From 1740, the Sixes were made up of 18 citizens, under the name of "Dreyer" - three (drei) from each guild. Also, the Council was divided into the Small and Great Council.
After the French Revolution of 1789 another 40 citizens (the Forties) were chosen to discuss matters of state in common with the Great Council of the guilds.
Also, one citizen from each guild was chosen annually as a juror in the city court.
The six guilds were:
- The Guild of Bakers, which included bakers, millers, innkeepers, ropers and barbers.
- The Guild of Marshalls, for all workers of metal, and also masons, carpenters, glaziers and painters.
- The Guild of Butchers, which included butchers, tanners, shoemakers and saddlers.
- The Guild of Farmers, for farmers, shepherds, carters and all those who needed horses for their profession.
- The Guild of Tailors, which included merchants, clothiers, cloth shearers, weavers, tailors, manufacturers of hose and buttons, lace-makers, apothecaries, furriers, bookbinders and wig-makers.
- The Guild of Wineries, to which belonged scholars, clergymen, teachers, winemakers, as well as peasants, enjoying the protection of the city.
References
Ehrsam, N. (1850). Der Stadt Mülhausen privilegirtes Bürgerbuch, bis zur Vereinigung dieser Republik mit Frankreich, im Jahr 1798. J.B. Rissler, Mulhouse.
