The word “Bangard” comes from the Latin “custos bannorum” which means “guardian of the ban” or boundary. In Alsace, one finds the name “Bannwarth” (in German) and “Bangert” (in Alsatian). The origins of this role first appeared about 1,000 AD with the duty of supervising the village land. Although vines are reported to have been grown on the slopes of the Rangen in Alsace from 1287, the first mention of the Bangards was in the town of Thann in 1483. There seems to be no evidence that they were in existence before that.

There were usual four in number, elected for one year by the magistrate and chosen from among the townspeople or the craft guilds such as the “Rebleute-Bruderschaft” (the Guild of Wine Growers which also included the Innkeepers). To be a Bangard, one needed to be of excellent moral standing and a good reputation. To be “solvent and honourable”. To be a Bangard was an honour. No-one could become a magistrate or hold a high office if they had not been a Bangard.

The archives in Thann hold many documents on the subject as well as a list of the names of all the Bangards from 1483 to 1700. They belonged to every kind of profession, wine growers, barrel makers, carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, butchers, bakers and stone masons.

Their principle role was the supervision of the vines. Although this was their particular field, they also expanded into supervising in other areas, such as forestry, fruit trees, field management, water management and the upkeep of boundary stones. They were the only people authorised to travel along the routes through the vines. These became known as the “paths of the Bangards”. They organised the passage of flocks to avoid damage, prevented the young lads from picking up left over grapes, raised tolls for the right of passage of foreigners and fined those whose cattle strayed. It was only the pilgrims that were allowed to pass for free, provided they promised to pray for them at the shrines they visited.

In Thann there remains to this day a cabin, dating from the 16 th century, which they used for their meetings. Alongside it there is a poplar, the tree of liberty, which was planted in 1848. In the secrecy of this private place, they met, ate and slept.

At the end of their term of office, they carved their name or initials and the emblem of their profession in stone or wood. The oldest of these that has survived dates from 1560. At a later date, they painted wooden signs depicting chronicles relating to all the events of the year, such as wars, famines, epidemics, the events of the town, floods and fires. The most important part of these was a great deal of information about the climate conditions of each year, such as storms, hail, frost and droughts.

The Bangards continued in this form until 1832, when they then became more communal officials such as village policemen.

The Bangards – Today

Thanks to an association called “law of 1901”, this ancient order has been revived again today. Like their respected ancestors, their Statutes and their Charter set out their rights and their dues.

The aim of the Brotherhood of Bangards is:-

• the protection and promotion of the produce of different regions.
• to go out and to meet with people, giving practical advice about the art of eating at table, wine tasting and cooking.
• to distribute relevant literature on the study of wine and good eating, the selection of the best produce and how best to display it to the members of the association.
• to find and keep alive a festive and convivial ambiance and to communicate to all the world about wine and eating. The association should also promote high standards. Their members must show, in all circumstances, seriousness, dignity and bearing and show appreciation of their products and those who make them, so as to become ambassadors of their regions.