The English text is based on the original transcript by the authors of LEGES SCHOLAE BARTFENSIS. A.C. addictor (1723) manuscript found in the archive of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Augsburg Confession in Bardejov (without signature). Pictures of the manuscript were kindly provided by the local Lutheran pastor.

1. All teachers shall adhere inviolably to the Augsburg Confession, the Formula of Concord, and other symbolic books; each of them should strive to be the kind of person he wishes his student to be: loving studies and letters, arriving on time, exhibiting honesty and dignity of character, especially temperance in food and drink to please the students, and avoiding all frivolity and drunkenness from wine.

2. Let all cultivate mutual harmony among themselves and diligently educate the youth entrusted to them as the greatest treasure of the commonwealth, mindful of this: "He who neglects the youth brings immediate harm to the entire republic."

3. Let them abstain from secret murmurs and patiently endure each other's offenses and weaknesses.

4. If any students wish to address them, seek advice, or express a complaint, let them readily admit them and promptly and adequately assist them with counsel.

5. Let them not show excessive indulgence toward older students; nor converse too familiarly with them, because nothing is so necessary for teachers as to preserve authority, which is easily diminished by excessive and inappropriate familiarity.

6. All, both Doctors and Scholarchs, as well as Teachers and Tutors, shall inviolably observe each hour designated for teaching exercises or at least for studies, so that they engage in nothing irrelevant.

7. Whoever neglects the appointed hour, or even attends with a lackadaisical attitude, shall be severely punished; unless prevented by a manifest and legitimate cause, which is approved by the Magistrate.

8. All actions that Teachers, Scholarchs, or Magistrates perform during school time, whether in school or at home, shall be observed by the Directors, and if anything is found to have been done improperly, it shall be corrected.

9. The schools, even those outside the gates, shall be visited by the Directors at least once a week.

10. All Teachers and Scholarchs shall be of one mind and agree in all matters pertaining to discipline and good morals, so that nothing deemed good by one teacher is disapproved or opposed by another.

11. If any disagreement arises among Teachers or Scholarchs regarding discipline or good morals, let it be referred to the Magistrate.

12. Whoever deserts the school or notably neglects it shall be reported not only to the Magistrate but also to the Parents.

1. The Rector of the school presides, governs, and organizes all the teachers, establishes examinations, appoints scholarchs, and reports to the Directors on all matters pertaining to discipline and good morals.

2. He shall, above all, take care of everything related to discipline and good morals; he shall propose nothing new without the consent of the Scholarchs; if anything is worthy of correction or change, he shall inform them and correct it with their consent.

3. Controversies arising among colleagues he shall reverently and amicably resolve; or if they seem more serious, he shall refer them to the Fathers or Scholarchs.

4. He shall assign places to more advanced newcomers in the school, whom they can support with their learning; he shall relegate younger ones to the lower teachers, and reward the diligence of these teachers with scholastic benefits appropriate to their status or poverty.

5. He shall diligently ensure that teachers observe what is advised during School Visitations.

6. If any necessity arises for him to travel abroad, he shall assign his duties, as instructed by the Bishops or the nearest College, to suitable individuals.

7. Each quarter, he shall read the School Laws before the entire assembly of all teaching instructors. The teachers shall also thoroughly read the laws for their own remembrance.

8. He shall hold private and frequent consultations with his colleagues on reforming and promoting students, duly observing circles, admonishing those of ill behavior and correcting excesses, having appropriate remedies, and in Visitations of the Classes, with testimony of the age.

9. The Rector himself shall be attentive, and ensure that the other teachers are as well; he shall earnestly admonish that students dismissed from the school conduct themselves honorably in the streets and squares, avoid shouting, greet those they meet, and diligently learn their tasks. He shall appoint decurions who observe the more immodest students or even monitors as correctors; and if any student offends against the precepts, he shall later publicly reprimand them or, depending on the severity of the offense, ensure they are punished accordingly.

10. He shall announce public exercises in composition and declamation for the school; they shall practice according to the Rector's arrangement, but not cause delay on the regular day of studies; he shall beware of worldly conversation.

11. The Rector, based on the ongoing progress of the classes, institutes particular or monthly examinations, and himself visits the various classes, examining the students; however, he shall promote no one to higher classes without a public examination and testimonies or proofs provided by the Scholarchs, ensuring promotions are made judiciously.

1. They shall fully accept the Rector's admonitions and obey them modestly.

2. They shall neglect no lessons; if in the morning they cannot be present in school for some reason, they shall promptly inform the Rector, so that their absence may be diligently covered by another's work or a substitute, or an appropriate Teacher may temporarily step in.

3. They shall not substitute for others without permission from their own Rector; having notified the Rector and Scholarchs of the reason and having first obtained consent, they may go abroad.

4. Without the Rector's order, they shall admit no one into the class; nor exclude anyone at the beginning of the class or against the Rector's will; they shall have common and full care for the students of their own class.

5. Each one shall arrange the class hour's exercise with an alternate greeting by substitution, and during it, if they know that any Scholarchs, Spiritual Lords, or visitors are coming into the class, they shall receive them reverently.

6. Beyond the teachings defined in convocations, they should not expect extraordinary contributions from the students; but if any have spontaneously offered some token of gratitude, they may gratefully accept it; concluding at the ordinary duty is acceptable.

7. It is incumbent upon them to diligently ensure that the students, from the beginning of their commission, come together cleanly to peruse the books; moreover, after hearing the daily prayer and a brief reading, they may be fortified and instructed in form.

8. They shall diligently and assiduously conduct the exercise of music, to which task the one in charge remains committed, ensuring that those singing and serving in the choir are always prepared and trained; if any are found to be slower, they shall exercise such students privately, especially to prevent any deficiencies from creeping in among the discant singers.

9. All Class Teachers shall frequently review their students' writings and exercises, encouraging them to compose exercises with simple and varied composition appropriate to their ability, and to inspire their listeners at home with praises through diligent study.

10. They shall carefully observe their class's students, noting and recognizing those present and absent or negligent; they shall encourage the diligent and assiduous with deserved commendations toward further diligence.

11. The authority to exempt students for the sake of the community is not withdrawn but remains singular. The essence and conclusion of the laws is this: Teacher, because you diligently, prudently, constantly, and sincerely perform your duty.

1. The principal members of this school are the students, who, bringing with them a ready desire for wisdom, earnestly implore it from the Supreme Lord as if it were daily bread of light. Upon first entering the school, they approach the Rector and are familiarly present for enrollment in the register. Approved by him as having made progress in studies, they are immediately subject to the school's laws and remember all the teachers' commands; whether parents are present or not, they honor the teachers no less than their parents, and with reverence.

2. They practice religious devotion through public and private prayers. While walking and rising, they invoke God with bent knees, thoroughly examine the deeds of the day, and either, if it was bad, detest themselves, or if good, praise God.

3. In the presence of the Roman Catholics, they do not involve themselves in any disputes, much less in contentions or quarrels, which they properly avoid; they shun all scandalous occasions. On festivals, especially the more solemn ones of the Roman Catholics—such as Corpus Christi and other days of processions—they keep themselves peacefully at home or in school, do not run through the streets, lest scandals arise with consequences; those who contravene shall be severely punished.

4. They shall entirely avoid profanity, blasphemies, rash swearing, contempt of religion, nation, parents, teachers, malevolence, quarrels, altercations, vengeance, scurrilities, and impudent speech; feasting, depraved associations, untimely wanderings and shouts, games, dishonest jokes, alienation, theft, lies, and similar vices; and they shall display modesty and an example of honesty and gravity of discipline both outside and at home.

5. At dawn, they shall always follow the common friend, that is, nature; and with devotion committed, they shall prepare themselves for the imminent lesson; they shall repeat what is to be publicly delivered; sitting modestly, they shall not sleep, chat, trifle, or contend; they shall not be disturbed by any matter, but focus solely on the purpose for which they came.

6. At the appointed hour, they proceed from the school to the church without any noise, shouting, or clapping of hands, entering in decent order, and settle in the assigned place; indeed, in wintertime, when the cold is intolerable, with permission from the Rector, after the singing is finished, those wishing may depart with the same modesty and return to the school; they do not run through the streets or houses but, wherever each one has properly settled, they perform their devotion. In case of violation, the class decurions shall take note. Transgressors shall be reprimanded by the Teachers with deserved punishments.

7. They shall not depart from ordinary lessons without the Teacher's permission; those who have been absent due to urgent necessity shall diligently make up the neglected primary lessons; they shall strive to imitate in words and eloquence the classical writers, because they are publicly explained; during the entire lesson time, unless exercises, public disputations, or home ceremonies (which ought to depend on the class Teacher's consent) hinder them, they shall direct their questions and offenses to the Teacher.

8. In class, each one shall sit in his own place and order. They shall attentively and with present mind listen to the lessons and their explanations. They shall not bore into or deface the walls, seats, chair, or pulpit. They shall not break anything or cause damage to any part of the building.

9. They shall observe the order of their Teachers; briefly and succinctly repeat necessary matters, and thus be able to retain them more promptly. They shall never neglect exercises in composition and shall cultivate their memory in every way.

10. In class, they shall use only the Latin language as much as possible, not in an affected but elegant manner. If anyone finds someone doing something improper in the school, he shall report it to his Rector; indeed, he is trusted by the Rector.

11. They shall not cause damage in gardens, fields, pastures, or crops belonging to anyone, nor take any fruits from there against the owner's will. Moreover, they shall never enter baths or presume to fish in cisterns, nor attempt to walk on winter ice.

12. They shall respectfully and honorably treat the inspectors, hall servants, Teachers and Patrons, and also other visitors, honorable matrons, and virgins. And whenever a scholastic assembly is convened by the Rector's authority, they shall appear under a specified penalty.

1. The residents of the school shall live cleanly and ensure that their rooms are cleaned daily, or at least the classrooms where some may happen to sleep, by the servants.

2. In the dwellings, they shall cause no damage, break or alter nothing. Those who have done so shall pay for the damage caused; those who, when asked, do not indicate the perpetrators, shall be similarly punished.

3. In the morning and evening at the appointed times, they shall assemble for prayers and devotion, sing a sacred hymn, pray, and attentively listen to the regular biblical chapter.

4. Seniors appointed by the Rectors shall duly explain at all hours, and if there are any matters among the younger ones concerning moral conduct, they shall distribute the meals according to the Rector's order.

5. They shall not loiter in the streets or other places, nor remain beyond the holy day or school time, nor spend the night without the Senior's permission.

6. In the morning—at the fifth hour in winter, the fourth hour in summer—all shall rise, and, humbly devoted, prepare themselves for the imminent lesson.

7. They shall not heat their own stoves without the Rector's permission; candles are to be used sparingly, and flames are to be prudently employed in the rooms.

8. At lunchtime and dinner, they shall sit at the table with prayers and likewise depart with prayers.

9. Upon first arriving at the schools, they shall have letters and writings attesting to a restoration of life undertaken and an honorable departure from another school; nor shall they depart before completing the term of residence or obtaining permission; when dismissed, they shall acknowledge the debts owed to the Teachers and be duly recorded in the register and official records. 10. They shall wear honest and appropriate attire; they shall not wander through the streets with crested or disheveled hair or while armed.

11. They shall engage in no other associations than those assigned publicly and privately by the Classical Josephs.

12. Let no one attack with words or blows the mendicants and those who often collect outside the higher and classical Teachers. The offering and distribution of benefits to the mendicants shall be at the Rector's discretion.

1. The relaxation of mind and exercise of body is so arranged by its own virtue that it serves lawful and honorable pleasure and advancement in the Latin language.

2. All other card games, fencing, and any gainful and dishonorable games are forbidden to students.

3. In scholastic games, let simple steps and forms be taught; proceeding to measure fields, set boundaries, learn to recognize herbs and inquire their names, represent the foundations of houses, villages, gardens, cities, valleys through ideas—let these be considered prizeworthy games.

4. Having obtained permission from the Teachers for recreation, all students, directed in order, without shouting, with composed and swift step, proceed to the designated place; and none shall go out without annual or Tutors' permission; one of the Teachers shall accompany them, and at the due time, they shall modestly return.

1. Good people hate to sin out of love for virtue; bad people hate to sin out of fear of punishment; that suffices for the wise.

2. As a musician does not immediately discard the strings from an instrument but adjusts them to the sense, tightening or loosening so that harmony may be produced, so let the Teachers act in the school.

3. Private and public reprimands, moderate confinement, deprivation of benefits, class floggings, shoe inspections, detaining students cheerfully in school, imprisonment, binding for a time, physical and rhetorical punishment, or total voluntary exclusion—these are the ordinary measures in the school.

4. Neglect of duty or other slight faults committed in office and morals by Teachers shall be punished with a monetary fine.

5. Lesser errors shall be corrected with words, by substitutes and looks; direct offenses and similar acts shall be punished with beatings; greater insolence shall be punished with imprisonment. The alumni of the school, according to the gravity of the offense, are joined; the obstinate, incurable, and those sinning excessively are expelled. Grave offenses—such as theft, sacrilege, fornication, and similar acts involving weapons—are rigorously punished by nocturnal detentions in prison and public bannings. If such a delinquent has been secretly punished or eternally banished by all the Scholars, he shall be handed over to the Magistrate, openly acknowledging the offense.

6. The option of a lesser punishment is not for the students unless given by the Teachers; if anyone refuses to bear the punishment imposed, he is consigned to prison; and if he dares greater insolence, such a one shall be more severely restrained by scholastic authority.

7. Whoever, without the knowledge or consent of the Rector, withdraws himself by flight, or having sinned excessively, is banished and proscribed, shall bear the infamy of violated faith, being guilty of having bound himself to the school, and is noted among the infamous in the school's register.

8. Whoever, not invited to weddings or feasts, wishes to invite others or leads crowds, or has not obeyed the Teachers, they shall prescribe the scholastic life. Public and private acts, given and done, are subject to the judgment of the Teachers.

With these laws received from antiquity, we now desire the school to be governed even in modern times, reserving to ourselves and our successors in the office of Inspectorship the authority. If necessity demands, we acknowledge the cases of expanding, changing, and interpreting according to future conditions, with the subscriptions of our names and the affixing of seals.

Done at Bardejov in the Year 1723, on the 15th of October • Elias Fischer (L.S.) • Johann Georg Mezner • Johann Georg Melissius • Mich. Krumbholz (L.S.) • Jeremias Nicolet • Leonhard Lippisch