On February 24th, 1484, the Count of Wurttemberg granted a Charter of Freedom to the inhabitants of Riquewihr. He allowed them to cross the boundaries of the lordship. He also promised not to lock the delinquents in the underground jails of the Castle of Bilstein, any more than in the dungeons of the Thieves Tower. City employees would henceforth do the police work themselves. This charter marked the beginning of the liberation of the city from the lord.