Lübeck Law

was the second most popular form of government (city law) of the free cities in the  Holy Roman Empire, particularly in the northern region as well as the former  Hanseatic League; it was unique in how much autonomy it granted the cities in comparison to other city laws during the era. Lübeck law was a republican and guild-based  oligarchic form of government. Lübeck, the city where the system originated, also strongly opposed feudalism and made it their explicit mission to "contain the spread of feudalism".



Lübeck adopted the Soester city law in 1160, which slowly transformed into Lübeck law over the following years. Lübeck was granted full city rights (de facto independence) in 1226, at which point Lübeck law was already fully in place. Through Lübeck's influence in trade and the Hanseatic League, it was able to spread it's form of government throughout northern Germany's free cities, particularly those on the Baltic sea; eventually even reaching Novgorod in today's Russia. Lübeck law was prevalent throughout cities in Northern and Northeastern Germany until around 1900, when the modern German civil code was implemented.

Lübeck Law predicts the establishment of a council with 20 members. The members were not elected by the citizens, instead the council would appoint a new member on their own from the city's merchant guilds. The period of office was technically 2 years, but the other members of the council could simply ask a member to stay in office for another term, which was usually the case until the death or promotion of the council member. This model of a city government provided that only the most experienced, influential and most successful merchants, as well as a few lawyers became members of the council. It was also a rule that a father and his son, or brothers, could never be members of the council at the same time, so that influential families could not get too large a share of influence on the city's politics.

The council elected up to four mayors from its members who shared the power in government. The "first mayor", usually the eldest member, acted as the de jure leader of the city, although he held the same power as the other four mayors. During the middle ages there were multiple examples of mayors being sentenced to death for "unsuccessful politics" under Lübeck law.

Lübeck Law provided a uniquely independent system of municipal government, allowing cities that adopted it to de facto be completely independent from any monarchical structures above them and take the legislative, judicial and executive matters in their own hands.

Lübeck law is generally a nice person and likes hanging around other republican and (for the era)  progressive ideologies, however he does not at all get along with  Feudalism and  Pirates.


 * 1) Draw a ball
 * 2) Fill it with yellow (heraldic gold)
 * 3) Draw the eagle of Lübeck in the middle
 * 4) Add the shield onto the eagle
 * 5) Add the eyes
 * 6) Done!

wip


 * [[File:Wikipedia.png]] Lübeck Law
 * [[File:Wikipedia.png]] Lübisches Recht (German)
 * [[File:AppYouTube.png]] HanseMOOC - Kaufmänner und Senat: Das Lübische Recht (German)