Meet the Middle Ages

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Who could bear arms?

The Town Law told who was allowed to carry arms in town and who was not.

"When foreign guests visit the town, they must leave their weapons and not carry them while they are in the town, neither day nor night, neither secretly nor openly, such as sword, rapier, dagger, short sword or whatever weapon it may be, except for genuine food knives.
§ 1 And in no town within the realm may citizens carry weapons, as has been said.
§ 2 Nobles often go to town to run errands, both for the King and for themselves, to this town and the other, to and fro, and no matter where their errands may bring them, they will never lose their weapons in town or wherever they may be".

Thus, the town-dwellers and their guests were not allowed to carry arms. The noblemen, however, were always allowed to be armed.