May 3, 1541

Edict, issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, King of Germany, for the Duchy of Württemberg [Present-day Germany]: “That no Jew shall reside in the Duchy of Württemberg, nor wander about the land without a letter of safe passage from the Duke; and that no Jew, nor Jewess, no matter their origin, may lend anything to the residents and subjects of the Duchy of Württemberg; and that any demands or actions by Jews for payment of debts shall be declared null and void, and those debts excused; this, We herewith confirm with Imperial power as valid and in force, and all officials, officers and subjects of the empire are ordered to assist and support Duke Ulrich of Württemberg in enforcing these prohibitions, and to refrain from complaining about them, applying for an exemption, or allowing any kind of contravention, under penalty of twenty marks in gold, half of which is payable to Our Imperial Accounting Office, the other half to Duke Ulrich of Württemberg.”