Voss —Regulations of the University of Wittenberg , 1546. 397 
THE REGULATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WIT¬ 
TENBERG, ISSUED IN THE YEAR 1546, REGARDING 
THE DRESS OF THE PROFESSORS, THEIR WIVES 
AND THE STUDENT BODY; ALSO RESTRICTIONS 
IN REGARD TO THE WEARING OF IEWELRY, THE 
COST OF WEDDINGS, BETROTHALS, BAPTISMALS 
AND OTHER FESTIVITIES. 
Ernst Yoss. 
In 1546, under Duke John Frederick of Saxony, arckmarshal 
*of the Holy Homan Empire and one of the Electors , an Or¬ 
dinance—eine neue Landordnung—was issued in his duchy for 
the regulation of dress and certain expenditures. 
This ordinance especially endeavored to abolish the abuses 
and extravagances in the different classes in regard to dis¬ 
play of dress, wearing of jewelry, celebration of marriage fes¬ 
tivals, baptismals, betrothals and all such festivities. (Strange 
to say nothing is said in this ordinance about funerals.) It 
advocated a return to the simpler life, to modest, less expensive 
modes and customs. 
The University was not included in this proclamation, but it 
was tacitly understood, that the authorities in control would is¬ 
sue their own laws and regulations in regard to these matters. 
Whereupon followed in due course the Ordinance of the Uni¬ 
versity of Wittenberg regarding dress, jewelry, and the celebra¬ 
tion of all festivals; the same being issued on Trinity Sun¬ 
day of 1546 (the Sunday after Penticost, Whitsunday) by the 
University Senate, and printed shortly after that date in Ger¬ 
man with an introductory admonition in Latin by the Univer¬ 
sity Hector. 
