alled towns of the Holy Roman Empire
possess a series of gates and bridges to defend against aggressors, perhaps
even a moat. Towns of this size will probably have a large Cathedral which
dominates the skyline. Fires are a constant danger, and heavy fines are
levied for raising a false alarm. Theft of waterbuckets (abundantly placed)
is punishable by hanging, and arson is punishable by burning to death.
Fifteen to twenty wide, main streets comprise the interior, with one leading from the gate to the center market square. Prominent buildings include the Kornhaus (granary), the Waage (weighhouse), the Munze (mint), Zeughaus (armory), Apotheke (apothecary shop), the Hundeloch ("dog's hole" - a dungeon prison underneath the city hall), the Ratskeller (cellar where the municipal supply of beer and wine is kept), and the Badestube (bathhouse). A few, more modern towns will have a notable town hall, a large Rathaus (Regensberg, Ochsenfurt, and Uberligen were among the first to possess these). A merchant's hall (the Kaufhaus) begins to appear in the late 13th Century.
Individual houses have very few windows, which are taxed, and those which exist are small, with wooden shutters. Venetian glass is now popularly being imported and can be seen as a sign of wealth, replacing the shutters. Each house has window bays, built of wood and covered with thatch roofs. Stoves are of brick, though green glazed tiles are becoming popular. Heavy oak benches, iron-plated chests, and high large canopied beds with stools used to clamber up are commonplace. Nights are very dark, with small oil-lamps and candles the only glimmer to be found.
Imperial towns often obtained charters granted them trading priveleges, and had the status of individual republics. They generally ran themselves, possessing one or several Burghermeisters. These were in always clergymen, in charge of accounting, archives, and protocal.
Outside the walls are the Srechenhauser (houses for the lepers and other sick not permitted to live within the town). Administered to by a priest, they possess their own church and cemetery, but are excluded by rites from regular society. Each is given a grey or black habit, cane, gloves, cup, and bread bag. They are required to rattle a horn or bell to warn of their impending approach, and strictly forbidden to drink from public wells.
The town's workday always begins at dawn, preceeded by a Mass tolled by the Cathedral bells. At noon a lunch break is had, lasting about three hours, then work continues until dusk. Only bakers and taverns may operate after the sun has set, all other work is strictly prohibited.
This page last modified 9/14/97.
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