Agreement with Baron of Vaz

The agreement between the people of Davos and the Baron of Vaz established a significant framework for governance and taxation in the region. Under this agreement, the citizens of Davos were exempted from personal taxes, which was a notable shift in the financial obligations of the local populace. Instead, the responsibility for taxation was placed on the Government of Davos, which was required to pay an annual tribute in the form of goods to the Baron. This arrangement not only alleviated the financial burden on individual citizens but also solidified the relationship between the local government and the feudal authority represented by the Baron. The implications of this agreement were profound, as it allowed Davos to develop a more autonomous governance structure while still recognizing the Baron’s authority. In 1438, the rights established in the earlier agreement were reaffirmed in a new treaty involving the League of the Ten Jurisdictions. This later agreement further enhanced Davos's autonomy by exempting it from trade taxes within the territory governed by the League. The acknowledgment of both the 1289 agreement and the subsequent treaty in 1438 illustrates the evolving political landscape of the region, where local governance began to gain more rights and privileges. The exemption from trade taxes was particularly impactful, as it encouraged economic growth and trade within Davos, allowing the community to thrive without the constraints of heavy taxation. Overall, these agreements played a crucial role in shaping the economic and political identity of Davos, laying the groundwork for its future development.