Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/346

334 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE did not march in the Eogation procession. His sons, too, were required to join, so that they ' should know the size of the fields and their situation.' The rights of authority were strictly maintained at the Erfurt manor. Everyone had to promise obedi- ence to the head-steward in all things honourable and important, to avoid anything which might injure his Electoral Highness — in a word, to fulfil all the duties of faithful servants. It was forbidden for one servant to abuse the other, but when there was cause of com- plaint it must be made to the steward and settled according to his advice. The kitchen-master must not allow any of the servants to pass the night away from the manor without his permission. He was not allowed, however, to inflict immediate punishment, but to give the offender one or two warnings. Only offences against honour were punished without indulgence. Any servant who had stolen, abused the freedom of the manor, or committed a grave offence, was paid his wages and turned away, having first sworn not to revenge himself. Above all, the kitchen-master was enjoined to set a good example, and to begin his daily duties by visiting the chapel. The written regulations read : ' The kitchen-master must go to church early every day, hear Mass, and say aloud before the people five Paters and Aves in honour of the wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanking Him for His sacred Passion, begging Him to forgive him all his sins, to show him mercy, to preserve him from sin, and to grant him grace to do His holy will ' ; he must also ' take care of all committed to him, and serve his master faithfully and well.' He shall also reverence the mother of God, say a prayer in