»So sollen die brief ab und tod sein«. Landesfürstliche Judenschuldentilgungen im Österreich des 14. Jahrhunderts.

The article presents a history of the letters of debt cancellation issued by dukes in 14th-century Austria. As moneylending was primarily lead by Jews, the letters of debt cancellation, issued without compensation to the lender, became an instrument for the economic and political oppression of Jewish moneylenders. This was especially true for lenders who supported a person or institution unpopular with the ruling Hapsburg family. The author argues that these Tötbriefe ("killing letters") signify a decrease in the traditional protection of Jewish businesses by Austrian rulers.