Ordinances for Calvinist Churches (1547)
The Calvinist churches, like others during the Protestant Reformation, emphasized the need for stricter moral
regulation of individual behavior. These ordinances placed on churches in Geneva and surrounding areas show
how all aspects of behavior, including popular entertainments, were subject to scrutiny.
Concerning the Times of Assembling at Church
That the temples be closed for the rest of the time [outside the time of services], in order that no one shall enter
therein out of hours, impelled thereto by superstition; and if anyone be found engaged in any special act of
devotion therein or nearby he shall be admonished for it: if it be found to be of a superstitious nature for which
simple correction is inadequate then he shall be chastised.
Blasphemy.
Whoever shall have blasphemed, swearing by the body or by the blood of our Lord, or in similar manner, he
shall be made to kiss the earth for the first offence; for the second to pay 5 sous, and for the third 6 sous, and for
the last offence be put in the pillory for one hour.
Drunkenness.
1. That no one shall invite another to drink under penalty of 3 sous.
2. That taverns shall be closed during the sermon, under penalty that the tavern-keeper shall pay 3 sous, and
whoever may be found therein shall pay the same amount.
3. If anyone be found intoxicated he shall pay for the first offence 3 sous and shall be remanded to the
consistory [church council or governing body]; for the second offence he shall be held to pay the sum of 6 sous,
and for the third 10 sous and be put in prison.
4. That no one shall make roiaumes [popular festivals] under penalty of 10 sous.
Songs and Dances.
If anyone sings immoral, dissolute or outrageous songs, or dance the virollet or other dance, he shall be put in
prison for three days and then sent to the consistory.
Usury.
That no one shall take upon interest or profit more than five per cent., upon penalty of confiscation of the
principal and of being condemned to make restitution as the case may demand.
Games.
That no one shall play at any dissolute game or at any game whatsoever it may be, neither for gold nor silver
nor for any excessive stake [i.e., gambling], upon penalty of 5 sous and forfeiture of stake played for.
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Ordinances for Calvinist Churches (1547)
Document questions:
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Answer the following questions for discussion in class on the day specified by the syllabus.
Be sure to note where the information to answer the question is located in the document (i.e., Highlighting
or notes in the margin) but, DO NOT copy and paste parts of the document for your answer. (This is
plagiarism)
Answer the questions in your own words. You may hand write or word process your answers.
1. What type of document is this? (Primary/Secondary and what IS it?) ________________________________
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2. What is the bias of this Author, as it relates to this topic? What might account for this bias?
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3. Judging from these regulations, what sorts of behavior were of greatest concern to the Calvinist leaders?
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4. What insight do the regulations provide into the relationship between church and state in Geneva?
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