Unsere, Von Gottes Gnaden Ernst Augusts, Herzogs zu Yorck und Albanien, Bischoffs zu Ossnabrück, Herzogs zu Braunschweig und Lüneburg Verordnung, Wegen Abhaltung der Zigeuner, fremden Bettler, Bettel-Juden und anderer dergleichen Landstreicher: de dato Ossnabrück den 4. Decemb. 1720

4to (185x148 mm). Pp. [8]. Printed seal at the end. Unbound. Uniformly browned.

Exteremly rare original edition of the ordinances, promulgated by Ernest Augustus of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1674-1728), concerning the administration of justice, policing and private law, with particular reference to Gypsies, foreign beggars, Jewish beggars and other vagabonds.

More specifically, the decree prohibits gypsies, beggars and begging Jews (“Bettel-Juden”) to enter territories under the rule of Ernstest Augustus II, Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück. Inhabitants of his territories are forbidden to accommodate any of these vagrant groups, violations will be punished and denunciations rewarded. Children of such groups under ten year of age will be removed from their families and raised by Christian foster parents. Male gypsies will be branded with a hot iron and driven out of the country, re-entry will be punished by hanging. Other beggars (including Jews) found inside the country will be expelled and threatened with corporal punishment should they return.

Prince Ernest Augustus was the youngest son of Elector Ernest Augustus and Sophia of Hanover, and the younger brother of King George I of Great Britain. He served as a military commander and later as the Protestant Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück from 1715 until his death, receiving the British title Duke of York and Albany in 1716.

OCLC, 257873054 (1 copy at Göttingen).

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