Wandelingen door Elzas-Lotharingen De Aarde en haar Volken, 1886

Step into the rolling valleys of Alsace‑Lorraine, where the author walks the ancient paths of Orbey and uncovers a tapestry of medieval law, local customs, and lingering stone ruins. The narrative weaves together the peculiar judicial practices of the sixteenth‑century cantons, from the two‑stage elections of jurors to the harsh penalties for drunkenness, painting a vivid picture of a community governed by both tradition and the whims of feudal lords. Along the way, the guide describes the rugged terrain, the scattered farms, and the enduring presence of the Hohenack castle ruins that crown the surrounding hills.

Beyond the statutes, the book captures the everyday lives of the valley’s inhabitants—farmers, weavers, and schoolchildren learning German under the watchful eye of the parish priest. Folklore seeps into the landscape, with tales of witches brewing potions in the rocky hollows of the Groß‑Hohnack at midnight. Listeners are invited to hear the blend of history, geography, and legend that makes this corner of Europe a living museum of the past.