Had someone translate this tidbit for me from the city council records of Strasbourg from 1336, regulations for the “schwertag” – the sword day or oath day, when all citizens and residents swore allegiance to the city.
It speaks to bringing arms to this meeting which was a commonplace practice though it does not speak to carrying arms day to day, so it’s of limited relevance here. Still, primary sources are always interesting:
106. Es soll ein yeglicher so vil er süne oder knechte hat fürderlich bestellen und allewegen stetes in seinem hus haben sovil redelicher gewere, es sigen hallen- barten stritaxe oder schwinspies auch Schwerte oder lange messer, die zur gewere gut
sint, also das sin süne und knechte yeglicher domit gerüstet sy, wann es noth thüt, das dan yeglicher mit solichem gewere mit im für des münster gen sol und sollent semlichc süne und knechte ston hinder denen, die harnasch anhaben, und sol yeglicher by sins
hantwerks baner bleyben, er würde dan von dem ammeyster oder sin botschaft anders- wo hin geordet, des sol man auch gehorsam sin by dem eid.
Translation:
Everyone should acquire and have in their house as many good weapons as they have servants or sons for defence, such weapons like Iron halberds, war-axes or pig(boar)-spears also swords or long knives are good for defence, so that all of the sons and servants of everyone can therefore be armed if the need arises, that then everyone with such arms should go to the cathedral and have all their sons and servants stand behind those who have armour, and everyone should stay close to their crafts(guild) banner, unless he should be ordered elsewhere by the master or his messages(or herald), then one should honour the Oath.
