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In 1985 interested parties from the judiciary, the scholarly community and local politics founded the Society for Imperial Chamber Court Research (Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung e.V.) in Wetzlar, which set itself the task of establishing a museum and a research center. The work of the Society is supported by a scholarly council.
A mere two years later, in 1987, it was possible to open the museum, which is housed in a three-story Chamber palace built by Franz von Papius. The building is very well suited for museum presentations and, as a specialized historical musuem, draws on the considerable wealth of its own collections and on long-term loans. Using original pictures, furniture, sculpture and contemporary printed works as well as graphic depictions and text commentary, the museum presents not only the Court's development, mode of operation, difficulties and obstacles but also its accomplishments and influence throughout the full span of its existence. The Court's role in cooperation with other Imperial organs and its significance for the development of the Imperial literature as well as for the social and military history of the Empire are also presented. A slide show providing a general introduction to the Court is available in several languages.
The research center is located in the same building. A database of procedural files available for more than 80,000 cases is in the process of being developed. The database will make possible for the first time a thorough study of the foundation of the Court's work and the history of the reception of Imperial Chamber Court jurisprudence. Methodologically the database is based on a systematic evaluation of targeted test samples from the file collections of the 17th and 18th centuries. Another research focus is the court personnel, especially the lawyers. In addition, an historical photographic archive dealing with law and the Court, with preferred emphasis on the period of the Imperial Chamber Court, will be acquired and developed. The archive should serve to help visualize and document specifics of legal history. The research center views itself as the coordinating body for all researchers interested in the Imperial Courts. A seminar room is available for conferences and has often been used for international and interdisciplinary colloquia.
The Museum and Research Center enjoy a close cooperation with the Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv Wien. http://www.oesta.gv.at
Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung e.V. Hofstatt 19 D-35578 Wetzlar Membership fee: Euro 20,00 per year Chair: Georg Schmidt-von Rhein Chair of the Scholarly Council: Prof. Dr. Albrecht Cordes Recording Secretary: Hr. Blümel, phone +49-(0)-6441-994163
Reichskammergerichtsmuseum
Hofstatt 19
D-35578 Wetzlar
Tel.: +49-(0)-6441-994160
Museum Hours:
Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
and from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Entrance fee: 1,5 Euro per Person
Further Information on the Museum (www.wetzlar.de)
Exhibit Announcements (www.wetzlar.de)
Research Center "Forschungsstelle zum Reichskammergericht der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/Main"
Prof. Dr. Albrecht Cordes
Director of the Research Center Fr. Dr. Baumann: +49-(0)-6441-994162
Office Secretary (mornings only): +49-(0)-6441-994161
Fax: +49-(0)-6441-994164
Or send us an E-mail: forschungsstelle@reichskammergericht.de
Publications series of the Society for Imperial Chamber Court Research (1985 ff) Schriftenreihe der Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung (1985 ff) To order, contact: Die Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung (for the address see above). Also available at the Museum.View or download a list of titles and the order form (PDF, version from Jan., 2009)
The series "Quellen und Forschungen zur Höchsten Gerichtsbarkeit im Alten Reich" [Sources and Research on the Highest Jurisdiction in the Old Empire] edited by Friedrich Battenberg, Albrecht Cordes, Bernhard Diestelkamp, Ulrich Eisenhardt, Adolfs Laufs, Wolfgang Sellert; Böhlau Verlag, Köln Weimar Wien publishes all of the siginificant and latest research regarding the High Imperial Court and the Reichshofrat publiziert. The Series has existed since 1973 and is continually expanding. The current index of titles in this series as well as further information are available athttp://www.boehlau.de
March 18th, 2009, 8 pm, Hörsaal des Stadthauses am Dom, Wetzlar, HD Dr. Ludolf Pelizaeus, Universität Mainz, "Von Lima nach Wetzlar. Ein Vergleich der Zuständigskeitskonflikte im spanisch-habsburgischen Kolonialreich".
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Contact via the business office of the Society for Imperial Chamber Court Research / Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung e. V., Contact Person: Dr. Anette Baumann.
Recent results are published in sehepunkte - zeitenblicke
The Network cooperates closely with the research network "Gender differences in European legal cultures" which maintains a Mailinglist
Announcement: The next conference (topic: "Die höchsten Reichsgerichte als mediales Ereignis") will take place from 8th to 9th October 2009 in Wetzlar. CALL FOR PAPER - more information.