Introduction

How to ensure that officials and administrators do not abuse their power? This question was already a significant concern for many urban residents in the Middle Ages. One of the tools used to keep officials in line was requiring them to swear an oath of office. In doing so, an official or magistrate promised to perform their duties honestly and not be swayed by bribes, alluring promises, or other temptations. In medieval cities, often torn by factional conflicts, impartial justice was particularly prized. Such oaths were typically sworn before the vroedschap and, occasionally, in front of a large gathering of townspeople. A Bible was always present during the oath-taking, and in some places, even relics were brought out to reinforce its solemnity. The oath was, therefore, no trivial matter: one pledged their very soul as collateral. Breaking the oath would have serious consequences.

This text includes the Antwerp aldermen's oath, which the aldermen swore upon taking office. The Antwerp council of twelve aldermen played a pivotal role in this vital trading city. Together with the two mayors and three stewards, the council was responsible for the city's finances, judiciary, and administration. At the time this oath formula was in use – the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries – Antwerp was rapidly overtaking Bruges as the most important port city in the Low Countries.

Physical Description

Register of oaths of city magistrates of Antwerp, which must have been used for several years when aldermen were sworn in. The text comes from the Cleyn pampieren privilegieboek, a parchment codex containing various transcripts of privileges, charters and oaths.