Pfaffenbrief
Encyclopedia
The Pfaffenbrief is a contract dated to October 7, 1370, between six states of the Old Swiss Confederacy
, Zürich
, Lucerne
, Zug
, Uri
, Schwyz
and Unterwalden
(with Bern and Glarus
missing).
In the Pfaffenbrief they for the first time expressed themselves as a territorial unity, referring to themselves as unser Eydgnosschaft
. They assumed in this document authority over clericals (Pfaffen), subjecting them to their worldly legislation. Furthermore, the Pfaffenbrief forbade feud
s and the parties pledged to guarantee the peace on the road from Zürich to the St. Gotthard pass.
The immediate cause of the contract was an attack of the provost
of the cathedral (Grossmünster
) of Zürich, Bruno Brun, on Peter von Gundoldingen, mayor of Lucerne, on September 13, 1370. Brun held Gundoldingen imprisoned and refused to recognize the jurisdiction of a secular court, but was banned from Zürich and his prisoner released. The Pfaffenbrief was drawn up because the Confederacy was concerned that Brun, who was in Habsburg
services, might still appeal to a court of the Holy Roman Empire
, or to an ecclesiastical court, and to avoid similar disputes in the future.
Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland....
, Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
, Zug
Canton of Zug
The Canton of Zug is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. It is located in central Switzerland and its capital is Zug. With 239 km² the canton is one of the smallest of the cantons in terms of area. It is not subdivided into districts.- History :The earlier history of the canton is...
, Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
, Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.The Federal Charter of 1291 or Bundesbrief, the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the Bundesbriefmuseum.-History of the toponym:...
and Unterwalden
Unterwalden
Unterwalden is the old name of a forest-canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy in central Switzerland, south of Lake Lucerne, consisting of two valleys or Talschaften, now organized as two half-cantons, an upper part, Obwalden, and a lower part, Nidwalden.Unterwalden was one of the three participants...
(with Bern and Glarus
Glarus
Glarus is the capital of the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Glarus municipality since 1 January 2011 incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Riedern....
missing).
In the Pfaffenbrief they for the first time expressed themselves as a territorial unity, referring to themselves as unser Eydgnosschaft
Eidgenossenschaft
Eidgenossenschaft is a German word meaning confederation. The term literally translates as "oath fellowship". An Eidgenossenschaft is a confederacy of equal partners, which can be individuals or groups such as states, formed by a pact sealed by a solemn oath. Such an alliance could be either...
. They assumed in this document authority over clericals (Pfaffen), subjecting them to their worldly legislation. Furthermore, the Pfaffenbrief forbade feud
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
s and the parties pledged to guarantee the peace on the road from Zürich to the St. Gotthard pass.
The immediate cause of the contract was an attack of the provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
of the cathedral (Grossmünster
Grossmünster
The Grossmünster is a Romanesque-style church in Zurich, Switzerland. It is one of the three major churches in the city . The core of the present building near the banks of the Limmat River was constructed on the site of a Carolingian church, which was, according to legend, originally commissioned...
) of Zürich, Bruno Brun, on Peter von Gundoldingen, mayor of Lucerne, on September 13, 1370. Brun held Gundoldingen imprisoned and refused to recognize the jurisdiction of a secular court, but was banned from Zürich and his prisoner released. The Pfaffenbrief was drawn up because the Confederacy was concerned that Brun, who was in Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
services, might still appeal to a court of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, or to an ecclesiastical court, and to avoid similar disputes in the future.
External links
- Schaff, Ph.: Pfaffenbrief, entry from New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, CCEL online edition. In English.