In historical context, Standbücher refers to a book or registry that records information related to the different "Stände" or social orders/classes within a society.
These books were particularly prominent in the early modern period in German-speaking regions, such as the 16th century. A notable example is "Das Standebuch" from the 16th century, which aimed to illustrate and describe the social structures of the time.
In essence, a Standbuch can be understood as a form of record-keeping that reflected the social hierarchy and roles of different groups of people within a society, such as:
Trades and occupations: Providing a snapshot of the various professions and crafts that existed.
Social classes: Indicating the position of different groups (e.g., clergy, nobility, burghers).
Regulations and ordinances: Including information about the rules governing different trades or social groups.
For example, the "Bierordnung" (Beer Regulations) of the City of Nuremberg from the 14th century is found in the city's statute book, which was also known as a "gemischtes Stadtbuch" (City Book of varied content), and contained municipal ordinances. This exemplifies how Standbücher could include information relevant to the organization and regulation of a city's various aspects, including its trades and social practices.
Link to Standbücher on archiv portal: https://www.gda.bayern.de/service/findmitteldatenbank/Kapitel/15df3561-186c-49cd-b075-1a04855b32fc/