In uncertain times, people felt a particular need for protection. This was where breverls came in. The term derives from “litera brevis” and means “short letter”. The letter of supplication or safe conduct contained nine copper engravings, which generally depicted saints. It was divided into blocks of three and folded over many times. The central picture could usually be flipped up and concealed numerous amulets. Due to its religious contents, letters of safe conduct were stored in richly decorated fabric bags or metal containers. Breverls were generally worn directly on the body. The case could never be opened, because this would mean they would lose their power. The Catholic church only partly tolerated the custom of breverls; at times it vehemently opposed them and during the Enlightenment they were sometimes forbidden. 

Another protective amulet was the Fraisenkette, or convulsion chain, which was supposed to protect children against this dreaded condition. These chains were hung on the cradle or placed on the chest of the ailing child. “Fraisen”, or convulsions, referred to various diseases whose symptoms were characterised by cramping. Many of them were the result of malnutrition.