Station: [10] The dispute between the peasants and the tradesmen
Gerichtsschreiber:
All rise for our most gracious Lord von Odeleben, lord of the manor and supreme judge for the farming and civic community of the town of Riesa.
Felgenhauer:
What’s on the list? We can deal with this quickly, I trust?
Gerichtsschreiber:
Most gracious lord, summoned and appearing in court: the plaintiff, who is also the accused: the Farmer Johann Steude. Is Farmer Steude, Johann present?
Steude:
Present, your lordship.
Gerichtsschreiber:
Sit! Also summoned and present in court: the plaintiff and accused: Gottlieb Kalau, Master Cooper.
Kalau:
Present, your lordship …
Felgenhauer:
They’re both the plaintiffs and the accused? At the same time?
Gerichtsschreiber:
Two complaints – one each, against the other. I thought we might deal with them in one fell swoop.
Felgenhauer:
So we will, it’ll save time. What is the issue?
Gerichtsschreiber:
Master Cooper Kalau first!
Kalau:
Thank you, your lordship! Well, three times a week, my neighbour opposite, who is this same Farmer Steude, drives his cows along our street –as indeed do all the other farmers. That’s the street where all the craftsmen live. This befouls the street in a way…
Steude:
Call that a street? Don’t make me laugh. It’s more of a beaten track….
Gerichtsschreiber:
Silence! Nobody asked you! Please continue, Master Cooper.
Kalau:
Well, as I said, the beasts drop their business all along the street. And the stench is even worse – it’s unbearable, my lord.
Felgenhauer:
You’re not actually bringing suit to stop the farmers having access to the meadows beyond the River Jahna – are you?
Kalau:
They can just as well drive the beasts along their own street and then through the river to get to the meadows.
Steude:
Dream on, mate! That’s just complete bullshit – madness! Beg pardon, your lordship!
Gerichtsschreiber:
You’ll have your say presently, Farmer Steude. Be patient.
Felgenhauer:
Let him speak, it saves time. What are your objections to his notion?
Steude:
Your lordship – the idea of driving the animals along our street and then through the river? But there’s a bridge at the end of the other street, by Röhrborn Mill. Does he want our cows to break their legs in the river and perish miserably? Where, if you please, does he expect the milk and the meat will come from then, my lord?
Besides, consider, your lordship, that the craftsmen are not perfect, either. Many a time, the pitch our master cooper boils up to seal his barrels has flowed down the hill and into our meadows.
And every time that tide of slop comes down the hill, we end up having to destroy the grass. That’s a serious loss for us, given that we’re in sore need of hay as winter fodder.
Kalau:
Now we’re not even allowed to seal our barrels with pitch any more? How does he expect them to be watertight? Bad enough that our bakers are only allowed to bake on alternate days now – those on the left-hand side of the street on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the others on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. So the coopers are supposed to work part time as well now, are they?
Felgenhauer:
The two issues are quite unrelated, Master Cooper. As you well know. The bakers share the work, so everyone can made a living – albeit a modest one. But still! So don’t compare apples and oranges and distract from your own culpability!
Kalau:
Forgive me, my lord, but if I’m not allowed to use pitch as a sealant, I might as well give up my trade altogether and go to work as a labourer for our farmer here.
Steude:
Someone like you would be of no use to any farmer I know!
Kalau:
What did you say? Have you lost your mind, saying something like that in a place like this? Fine, then I’ll sue you for slander while we’re at it!
Steude:
Stop this instant. You’re both blinded with fury!
Felgenhauer:
I’ve heard enough to pass judgment. Clerk, take it down!
Gerichtsschreiber:
Yes, your lordship. All rise for the judgement – that means you, Farmer Steude and Master Kalau!
Felgenhauer:
This is my judgment:
The suit of the civic community, in the person of Master Cooper Kalau, is disallowed. The reason: fouling of the street when the livestock is driven out of the town has to be tolerated. The supply of milk, cheese and meat must be the priority.
Farmer Steude’s suit is allowed. For livestock to starve in winter because grass had to be destroyed is not acceptable.
Master Cooper Kalau is ordered to build a gully at once to divert any overflowing pitch!
A record of the judgment shall be prepared and sent to you. The cost of the hearing shall be borne by the two plaintiffs in a proportion of 2 to 1. Decided and pronounced. The hearing is closed.