This meant, among other things, that the state could not afford to tolerate lazy, sickly, disorderly, schnapps-drinking burghers.
Even second and third time offenders could avoid corporal punishment if they were able to organize supplications from other burghers on their behalf.
He not only sought to discipline burghers and students but also aspired to become a policeman of knowledge.
However, the religious issue having been solved, the burgher opposition lacked the impetus and coherence to challenge the city council.
There also existed a certain degree of co-operation between the urban government and the burghers in view of safeguarding urban stability.
They seem to have been patronized primarily by men from the nobility, wealthy burghers and 'non-nobles of high standing'.
The stocks, for example, were usually located in front of the town hall, and a jail cell inside served to imprison disobedient burghers.
What was at stake for burghers was the defence of their own political power in the context of early modern state formation.
