The "Chorgericht" (Religious Court)
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2020-05-25T10:39:54+01:00
The Chorgericht, steel engraving, 19th century, unknown artist; source: Schmidt, Heinrich Richard: Das Chorgericht von Vechigen 1572–1798, in: Ernst Grunder: Geschichte der Gemeinde Vechigen, Boll 1995, pp. 221–241, image: p. 222.
The Reformed consistories were responsible for upholding morality within the congregations and tried to enforce the Ten Commandments in daily life. This engraving depicts a Chorgericht adjudicating on an illegitimate pregnancy (19th century). The judges in these courts were themselves members of the congregation.
The Chorgericht, steel engraving, 19th century, unknown artist; source: Schmidt, Heinrich Richard: Das Chorgericht von Vechigen 1572–1798, in: Ernst Grunder: Geschichte der Gemeinde Vechigen, Boll 1995, pp. 221–241, image: p. 222.