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The Sachsenspiegel (literally “Saxon Mirror”, roughly “Survey of Saxon Law”) is the most important law book and custumal of the German Middle Ages. Written ca. 1220 as a record of existing customary law, it was used in parts of Germany until as late as 1900, and is important not only for its lasting effect on German law, but also as an early example of written prose in a German language.
The present miniature is taken from a 14th-century copy of the Sachsenspiegel. It shows the Jew being confirmed as legally equal to the Christian. The Jew wears the characteristic pointed hat.
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