mark mersiowsky gulations were decreed about legacies and wills of Ulm citizens. Testamentary dispositions of those in good health or on a sick- or deathbed were regulated. Dispositions of those in a healthy state were to be made in the presence of at least two judges of the city of Ulm. In the event of illness or imminent death, at least two judges of the city of Ulm should be summoned and the disposition then made in their presence. The judges must then confirm in their oath that the person concerned was in full possession of his or her mental faculties at the time in order that these dispositions become legally valid. If a man or a woman, who may or may not have children, wishes to divide his or her property on his or her sickbed or in good health, the will must be made before at least two judges of the city of Ulm, and here, too, the judges must confirm that the testator is in full possession of his or her faculties. The minimum age for making a will is 18 years for men and 16 years for women.34 On St. George’s day in 1422, the mayor, small council, and large council modified the existing statutes, since different information from different judges was given to secular and clerical priests who were citizens or residents of the city; different rules about donations for the soul or prescribed legacies; and different determinations by decree before judges according to the Ulm statutes, by public instruments, or by charters corroborated by a prelate’s seals. These different practices caused problems and confusion. For the new regulations, the city referred to the rights granted them by King Albrecht. For properties in the city, the clergy needed to submit to the regulations of city law, i.e. to make a testament in presence of the two judges, to have this attested by a public notary, and to have a German-language notarial instrument executed over it. Anotarial instrument without the participation of judges was not permitted and therefore not legally valid. This regulation has been preserved in a draft with a later date.35 A document of 1436 mentions that the city of Ulm had forbidden the financing of stipends for the Mass and donations for the souls using properties or incomes in the city’s territory, 34 Stadtarchiv Ulm A Urk. 404, Digitalization and regest at https://www.stadtarchiv-ulm. findbuch.net/php/main.php?ar_id=3766#412055726b2ex541 35 Stadtarchiv Ulm, A 1311. 23
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