Mandate of Gustavus Adolphus for the Protection of Travelers and Farmers

everyone original: "menniglichen," meaning all persons regardless of status of high and low rank—whether on the
open roads, fields, and woods, or
in cities, villages, and quarters, and elsewhere here
and there—shall not be hindered, offended, challenged, touched,
nor oppressed in the slightest, neither in their persons,
possessions, nor goods, under whatever pretext original: "Prætext," a Latin legal term for a false excuse or appearance and
appearance it might be. Instead, everyone—
along with their wares, horses, and equipment original: "Geschirren," which can refer to harnesses, carts, or tools, and
other things—is to be allowed to pass and return freely,
safely, and unhindered by water and land,
without any ransoming original: "Ranßionirung," referring to the common practice of soldiers extorting money from travelers for "protection" or passage of goods,
horses, or equipment. To this end, by virtue
of this decree, We permit and agree that
if any attack should be made by marauding
cavalry or infantry upon any
person, equipment, or plow, or otherwise in any
way, the local authorities—
with or without the help of Our officers and soldiers Soldatesca|the collective military force, sometimes implying undisciplined common troops
stationed nearby—may and shall immediately seize the wrongdoers original: "Freveler",
take them into custody, and for the sake of proper, relentless
punishment, deliver them to their regiment (if
the same is nearby). However, if that regiment
is located outside of that same
Circle Creyß|one of the administrative districts of the Holy Roman Empire, they shall then deliver them to Our
nearest General Governor Statthalter|a high-ranking official acting as the King's representative and Commander Commendanten of that
same Circle.
And so that this Our serious will and intention may be
fulfilled more unfailingly and effectively, and all
dutiful propriety be observed, then shall