Vehmic courts

In modern German, the variant form of 'Feme' is much more common: In the early 20th century, there were 'Fememorde' (Vehm murders = lynchings) of republican politicians (e.g. Walther Rathenau) by rightwing groups. The verb 'verfemen' is in current use and means 'to outlaw', 'to ban', 'to ostracise'. A noun derived from this is 'der Verfemte' - the one who has been outlawed / ostracised = the outlaw / the ostracised person.

Other variant forms are: Fehme, Feime, Veme.

In the Middle Ages, the Vehmic courts were the regional courts of Westphalia which, in turn, were based on the county courts of Franconia. Presiding over the court was the 'Stuhlherr' (chairman), the 'Freischoeffen' (lay judges) passed judgment, and the place of execution was the 'Freistuhl' (free chair). There were open sessions and secret sessions.

Any free man of good character could become a lay judge. The new candidate was given secret information and identification symbols. The 'Wissende' (the knowing one) had to keep his knowledge secret, even from his closest family ("Vor Weib und Kind, vor Sand und Wind"). Lay judges had to give formal warnings to known troublemakers, issue warrants and take part in executions. The Secret Federation of Lay Judges was a powerful institution.

From the 14th century, the power of the Vehm courts extended to the whole of Germany. However, in the late 15th century their influence diminished, and eventually they were nothing more than insignificant peasants' courts. They were not abolished until the 19th century.

There is a manuscript in the Town Hall of the Westphalian town of Soest, which consists of an original Vehmic Court Regulation document, along with illustrations.

It is easy to see why some see them as precursors of the Society of the Illuminati[?], the Freemasons and the Ku Klux Klan.

Vehmic courts play a key role in the novel "Anne of Geierstein[?] or The Maiden of the Mist" by Sir Walter Scott in which Archibald von Hagenbach, the Duke of Burgundy's governor at Brisach (Switzerland), is condemned and executed by the Vehmgericht. Scott drew his inspiration from Goethe's play "Goetz von Berlichingen" which he had translated, alas, incorrectly.