Former Headquarters of the Brotherhood of Shepherds of Lower Alsace

The exact origin of this brotherhood remains mysterious, but by the mid-18th century it brought together shepherds from nearly 200 Alsatian communes. Pfaffenhoffen, chosen as the headquarters before 1746 for its central location, gave it the name Brotherhood of the Shepherds of Lower Alsace. It claimed to have established the Pfaffenhoffen wool market, which may date back to the 15th century, suggesting a foundation at that time. All shepherds in the region, whether Catholic or Protestant, as well as their servants and apprentices, and even those from localities outside the county, were members. The Counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg sponsored it, delegating their authority to the bailiff of Pfaffenhoffen, who was paid for this role. The brotherhood held two annual meetings: the first on September 30, the day after Saint Michael's Day, in a city inn, initially unidentified but at the Charrue inn after 1651; the second on October 18, the day of the Saint Luke market. Around 1760, these two gatherings were replaced by a single meeting on October 17, the eve of the Saint Luke market. No trace of the brotherhood is found after the French Revolution.