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Insurgents peasants with union banner threaten a knight. The Bundschuh movement (1493-1517) was a loosely linked series of localized peasant rebellions in southwestern Germany. They were forerunners of the German Peasant War of 1524 in 1526. Woodcut engraving after an original by Hans Schaufelin (German painter and engraver, c, 1480/85 - c. 1538/40), from the "Trostspiegel" (1520), published in 1881.
Rebellious peasants in the German Peasants' War (1524 - 1526). Wood engraving after the title page of a pamphlet in 1525, published in 1881.
Vintage engraving of a scene from the Froissart's Chronicles, Hundred Years' War. Peasants' Revolt, King Richard in great danger in the City of London and the Rebels discomfited
In Europe, spurred by the Protestant Reformation, peasants revolted against oppression by nobles and landlords. Engraving published 1882. Original edition is from my own archives. Copyright has expired and is in Public Domain.
Bombardment of Freiburg (Baden-Württemberg) by the peasants: In 1525, during the German Peasants' War, peasants led by Hans Müller took Freiburg and forced the city council to join a Protestant-Christian association. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Reformation in Germany: The rebellion of the peasants, the struggle against the monks and the struggle against the papacy. Wood engraving after a contemporary original (1522), published in 1881.
Thomas Müntzer (German theologian, reformer and revolutionary, ca. 1489 - 1525) calling the people of Mühlhausen to revolt. He was a leader of the German peasant and plebeian uprising of 1525 commonly known as the German Peasants' War. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Adalbert von Roessler (German painter, 1853 - 1922), published in 1892.
Massacre at Pfeddersheim (Worms): The Battle of Pfeddersheim was a battle during the German Peasants' War that took place near Pfeddersheim on June 23/24, 1525. Several thousand peasants lost their lives. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Hans Müller and his entourage. Hans Müller, also known as Hans Müller von Bulgenbach, (c.1490 - 1525) - a peasant leader during the German Peasants' War. After a career in the French military, he played a pivotal role in the initial peasant uprising at Stuhlingen, and organised peasant bands throughout southwestern Germany. He was captured after the peasants' loss at Klettgau in July 1525, imprisoned at the Hohentwiel fortress, and executed in August of that year. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Vintage engraving of a scene from the Froissart's Chronicles, Hundred Years' War. Peasants' Revolt, King Richard and his Council go down the Thames in a Barge to confer with the Rebels
Bombardment of Neckarsulm on May 28, 1525: After the alliance with the peasants, the town is bombarded by Georg III Truchsess von Waldburg-Zeil. The following day, the town opens up to the army of the Swabian League. The peasants who were still in the town are executed. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Medieval History, Peasants' Revolt, King Richard II going to meet the rebels, Vintage illustration. The Peasants' Revolt, also named Wat Tyler's Rebellion or the Great Rising, was a major uprising across large parts of England in 1381.
The Blood Court of Schorndorf (Baden-Württemberg) in 1514 - a criminal court against the arrested participants and leaders of the Poor Conrad movement, combined with cruel torture, branding and public beheadings.The Poor Conrad (German: Armer Konrad, also Armer Kunz) was the name of several secret peasants' leagues, which in 1514 revolted against the rule of Duke Ulrich of Württemberg. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Lucas Cranach's portrait of Martin Luther depicts the religious leader with a stern expression and a determined gaze. Luther wears a monk's robe. The painting captures the essence of the Protestant Reformation and Luther's pivotal role in it.
Illustration of a Thomas Müntzer Before the Battle of Frankenhausen
Thomas Müntzer (c. 1489 – 1525) - German preacher and theologian of the early Reformation whose opposition to both Martin Luther and the Catholic Church led to his open defiance of late-feudal authority in central Germany. Müntzer was foremost amongst those reformers who took issue with Luther's compromises with feudal authority. He was a leader of the German peasant and plebeian uprising of 1525 commonly known as the German Peasants' War. Wood engraving based on an etching (1608) by Christoffel van Sichem the Younger (Dutch woodcutter, engraver and publisher, 1581 - 1658), published in 1891.
The peasants in Berken (Alsace) mistreat the Jews. Scene from the German Peasant*s War (1524 - 1526). Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Peter Gaiss forms the "Poor Konrad" (German: Armer Konrad) - an alliance of the common man that rebelled in the Duchy of Württemberg in 1514. Contrary to the widespread cliché, it was not primarily the peasants integrated into the feudal system, but rather the citizens of the Württemberg rural towns, supported by some clergy, who rose up against the redistribution policy pursued by Duke Ulrich and the influential noble family at the expense of the common people and their progressive disenfranchisement. The center of the resistance movement was Schorndorf, Beutelsbach and Metzingen (Remstal). Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Disarming the rebellious peasants in Radstadt: After the failed siege of Radstadt, Tyrolean peasant leader Michael Gaismair fled to Venice. Hoping for the same lenient treatment as in Taxenbach, 11 days later, on July 13, 1526, numerous rebellious peasants from the Pinzgau region appeared outside Radstadt to surrender their weapons. After being disarmed, however, 27 of them were executed by the sword. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Georg Metzler leaves Oberschüpf. Georg Metzler was a leader of the Odenwald gang in the Peasants' War of 1525. He is also a character in Goethe's play Götz von Berlichingen. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The execution of Christoph Ganner (called Setzenwein) Tyrolean peasant leader (1526): Setzenwein is brought before a court martial of the peasants at the Lueg Pass and hunted through the spears for treason. From then on, Michael Gaismair (1490 - 1532) is the supreme peasant leader. Wood engraving based on a drawing (1890) by Otto Emil Lau (German painter, 1853 - 1917), published in 1891.
Destruction of the Ittingen Charterhouse on July 18, 1524 – a feud at the beginning of the Reformation period in Switzerland and a harbinger of general peasant unrest. In 1553, the complex was rebuilt during the Counter-Reformation. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Simon Lochmeier, a lay preacher from Swabia, preaches to 7,000 people. Scene from the Great German Peasants' War of 1524 - 1526. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Balthasar Hubmaier (1480 - 1528) is ceremoniously received in Waldshut (Baden-Württemberg). In the autumn of 1524, he returned to Waldshut and completed the Reformation there. A new Mass order was introduced, and images were removed from churches (iconoclasm). Inspired by the writings of Karlstadt and Müntzer, whom he presumably met in Waldshut, and by conversations with the Anabaptist Wilhelm Reublin, who had been expelled from Zurich, he began to increasingly engage with the question of baptism and publicly spoke out against infant baptism. He and 60 other Waldshut residents were baptized by Wilhelm Reublin. Hubmaier subsequently baptized a large portion of the council and population of Waldshut. When the town was occupied by Habsburg troops under Rudolf V of Sulz at the end of 1525 as a result of the Peasants' War and forced back to Catholicism, he fled. He and his wife found refuge in Zurich. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
A peasant camp of the “Baltringer Haufen” near Laupheim (Baden-Württemberg). The Baltringer Haufen was a prominent among several armed groups of peasants and craftsmen during the German Peasants' War of 1524–1525. The name derived from the small Upper Swabian village of Baltringen, which lies approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Ulm in the district of Biberach, Germany. In the early modern period the term Haufe(n) (literally: heap) denoted a lightly organised military formation particularly with regard to Landsknecht regiments. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
A farmer throws himself and his child from the burning tower in Thaingen (Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland). This scene is from the Swabian War (1499) – a military conflict between the Swiss Confederation on the one hand and the House of Habsburg and its key ally, the Swabian League, on the other, for supremacy in the Habsburg-Confederate border region. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The people of Mergentheim take sides with the peasants: Citizens from Mergentheim under council member Michael Hasenbart join the peasants on March 26, 1525. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Scene of the German Peasant's war depicting sedictionists with the boot-bearing banner symbolizing the rising and advance of the peasants about to slay a captive knight - woodcut from 1532.
Farmers' wagon fort near Königshofen: During the German Peasants' War, a battle took place on June 2, 1525 on the Turmberg near Königshofen between the united Neckartaler Haufen (troops) and Odenwalder Haufen and the knighthood under Georg Truchsess von Waldburg-Zeil. Around 8000 peasants died in the slaughter. The princes themselves took part in the pursuit of the fleeing peasants. Only a few hundred peasants managed to escape. Wood engraving based on a drawing (1890) by Otto Emil Lau (German painter, 1853 - 1917), published in 1891.
At the Diet of Würzburg: On May 2, 1525, a Diet is convened for negotiations in which the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg Konrad II von Thüngen (ca. 1466 - 1540) meets with townsmen and peasants in the city. The prince-bishop guarantees free passage. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
An attack by Georg von Waldburg-Zeil near Balingen (Baden-Württemberg) on a scattered peasant group. As "Bauernjörg" (Farmer Jörg), Georg became famous primarily for his role in the Peasants' War and was feared for his cruel and merciless crackdown on the rebellious peasants. Georg Truchsess led a merciless campaign that claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people. He pursued the scattered peasants, attacked them in their villages, and had them tortured, mutilated, and executed. Among the ringleaders executed on his orders was Jäcklein Rohrbach, who was burned alive in May 1525. He thus contributed significantly to the defeat of the peasants and their leaders, such as Anton Eisenhut, Florian Geyer, and Wendel Hipler. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Meeting of the Constitutional Council in Heilbonn on May 12, 1525: Representatives of the rebellious peasants and townspeople gather to discuss a future new imperial constitution. After the defeat of the peasant army near Böblingen, the assembly disbands. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Illustration of a Sebastian Schertlin of Burtenbach
The Bishop of Bamberg Weigand von Redwitz (1476 - 1556) before the armed people: Following violent peasant uprisings, which included attacks on the Cathedral Castle and the canons' houses being devastated and looted, negotiations began between the bishop and the town's citizens. Improvements for the town's citizens were achieved through various legal reforms, such as the opening of forests and waterways for hunting, the abolition of the small tithe, and the formation of a committee to resolve complaints with the bishop. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The Heilbronn ensign (troop) deploys: On April 18, 1525, the city council voluntarily surrendered the city of Heilbronn to the rebellious peasants. After plundering the Deutschhof and demanding money from ecclesiastical bodies, the peasants left the city again on April 20. A band of Heilbronn citizens joined the peasant army as a free flag. The fact that it marched through the countryside with the peasants without the city's colors and coat of arms later gave the council the opportunity to shift all responsibility for this ensign away from itself. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Victory for the peasants at Goyssen (Schladming, Austria): Siegmund von Dietrichstein (1484 - 1533) was attacked and captured by the rebellious peasants of the Salzburg League led by Michael Gruber von Bramberg on July 3, 1525. The peasants were in favor of slaying Dietrichstein, but de facto he was taken hostage to Hohenwerfen along with other noblemen. He only narrowly escaped execution, but was soon released due to Gruber's efforts to bring about peace. The victory at Schladming was the only success of a peasant army in a major battle during the German Peasants' War. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Bloody deed in Weinsberg. Dietrich von Weiler has the peasants' envoys shot at: On Easter Sunday, April 16, 1525, the peasants stormed the castle and town of Weinsberg at around 8 a.m., after they had previously called in vain for surrender and their parliamentarians had been shot at. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Destruction of Teck Castle (Kirchheim unter Teck, Baden-Württemberg) in 1525: Teck Castle (German: Burg Teck) was a ducal castle in the kingdom of Württemberg, immediately to the north of the Swabian Jura and south of the town of Kirchheim unter Teck (now in the district of Esslingen). The castle took its name from the Teckberg ridge, 2,544 feet (775 m) high, which it crowned. It was destroyed in the German Peasants' War (1525). The site's current buildings were constructed during the 19th and 20th centuries on the ruins of the original castle. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Judgment on Siegmund von Dietrichstein (1484 - 1533): After the victory of the peasants at Goyssen (Schladming, Austria), Siegmund von Dietrichstein was captured by the rebellious peasants of the Salzburg League led by Michael Gruber von Bramberg on July 3, 1525. The peasants were in favor of Dietrichstein's murder, but in fact he was taken to Hohenwerfen as a hostage along with other noblemen. He narrowly escaped execution, but was soon released thanks to Gruber's peace efforts. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Peasants desecrate and plunder a church. Scene from the German Peasants' War - a widespread popular revolt in some German-speaking areas in Central Europe from 1524 to 1525. It was Europe's largest and most widespread popular uprising before the French Revolution of 1789. The revolt failed because of intense opposition from the aristocracy, who slaughtered up to 100,000 of the 300,000 poorly armed peasants and farmers. The survivors were fined and achieved few, if any, of their goals. Like the preceding Bundschuh movement and the Hussite Wars, the war consisted of a series of both economic and religious revolts involving peasants and farmers, sometimes supported by radical clergy like Thomas Müntzer. The fighting was at its height in the middle of 1525. Wood engraving, published in 1883.
Scene from the Battle of Böblingen on May 12, 1525: It was one of the most important battles during the German Peasants' War. In it, the rebellious Württemberg peasants on the Goldberg between Böblingen and Sindelfingen were crushed by the army of the Swabian League under the leadership of Truchsess Georg von Waldburg. Wood engraving based on a drawing (1890) by Otto Emil Lau (German painter, 1853 - 1917), published in 1891.
German Peasants' War 1524 - 1526: The Peasants' Wars raged in southern Germany during the Reformation. From 1524, the peasants fought against the nobility, who oppressed them. They demanded more rights and the abolition of serfdom. It was no coincidence that the peasant uprisings coincided with the Reformation. Martin Luther had prepared the intellectual breeding ground with his writings. The peasants demanded human rights in 12 articles. But the nobility reacted with rejection. A violent confrontation was inevitable. On April 16, 1525, rebellious peasants in Weinsberg killed Count Ludwig von Helfenstein and his companions. This was the prelude to bloody clashes in numerous regions of southern Germany. While the uprisings had begun on the High Rhine, by 1526 they had spread as far as Thuringia, Alsace and the Alpine countries. As the peasant “Haufen" (troops) were no match for the equipment and organization of the armies, the cannons ultimately won the day. Around 70,000 peasants died fighting for a better life. Chromolithograp based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Farmers and peasants fighting (apparently without great determination) against the Swabian League in the German Peasants war. Woodcut by Hans Luetzelburger (1522) after a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543)
Fight in the German Peasants war, XVI century woodcut pamphlet page. (1526)
Gottfried "Götz" von Berlichingen to Hornberg, "with an iron hand," (c. 1480 - 1562) was a Frankish Empire Knights. He was known for his role in the Swabian Peasants' War, and a model of the same main character in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play Götz von Berlichingen. His name became famous as a euphemism for a vulgar expression (er kann mich im Arsche lecken "he can lick me in the arse") attributed to him by writer and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) who wrote a play based on his life. Wood engraving after a relief at his tomb in the monastery Schöntal (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), published in 1881.
Fire at Hohenstaufen Castle (Göppingen, Baden-Württemberg): The castle was only defended by a small team when it was destroyed by rebellious peasants during the Peasants' War on April 29, 1525. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The council of Mühlhausen has the town gates closed: In the spring of 1525, Thomas Münzer and Hans Pfeifer preach in the town churches to the peasants from outside the town. The city gates are closed for fear of escalation. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Matern Feuerbacher becomes farmer captain: When his hometown of Großbottwar (Baden-Württemberg) became a center of the Peasants' War in 1525, the citizens of the town elected the innkeeper as their leader on April 16, 1525 at Wunnenstein. He was soon followed by over 8,000 peasants, known as the Bright Christian Bunch. Feuerbacher always strove for moderation and advocated negotiations with the authorities. He also prevented the peasants under his command from committing major acts of violence and slaughter. For this, he was often criticized as a “weak” leader. Before the Battle of Böblingen, Matern Feuerbacher was replaced by the knight Schenk von Winterstetten, who sought a military solution. After the peasant army suffered a devastating defeat at Böblingen on May 12, 1525, despite being greatly outnumbered, he fled south, where he was arrested two years later in Rottweil. Those princes whom he had spared stood up for him in court. In the end, he was acquitted for lack of evidence and allowed to leave for Switzerland. His family followed him to Zurich in 1530. Today, a secondary school in Großbottwar is named after him. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The destruction of Murrhardt (Baden-Württemberg): In 1525, the town and monastery were severely affected by the Peasants' War. A mob of peasants from Hall and Limpurg forced their way into the monastery library and destroyed a large part of the valuable holdings. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Franz von Sickingen's death. In 1522, as leader of the Rhenish-Swabian knighthood, Sickingen attempted to secularize the Electorate and Archbishopric of Trier in accordance with the Reformation. With the attack on Trier, he began his "Priests' War." However, the siege of Trier failed, and after the princes' counterattack, Sickingen was forced to retreat to Nanstein Castle, where he died of wounds following heavy shelling on May 7, 1523. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Johann Eberlin von Günzburg (German Reformation theologian, c. 1470–1533) pacified the peasants at the Erfurt city gate on April 28, 1525. Eberlin possessed keen powers of observation and a keen sense of social needs. These gifts enabled him to calm public unrest in Erfurt and Ilmenau during the German Peasants' War. Wood engraving, published in 1891.
The peasants move into Stuttgart: Under their leader Matern Feuerbacher, 8,000 Württemberg peasants march into Stuttgart on April 16, 1525. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
Siege of Salzburg (Austria) during the Salzburg Peasants' War. The Archbishop Matthäus Lang of Wellenburg hated by the peasants sought the violent suppression of the Reformation, which was rapidly spreading throughout all parts of Salzburg. In June 1525, the bishop and his entourage were trapped in the Hohensalzburg and the insurgents stationed the regiment in Salzburg. The town was besieged for three months. Eventually, tensions were quelled, and the city's independence led to an increase in wealth and prosperity. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The betrayal at Zabern (Saverne, Alsace) in 1525: During the German Peasants' War, the rebellious peasants under their leader Erasmus Gerber set up their headquarters there. After they had laid down their arms, Duke Anton of Lorraine promised them free withdrawal. However, lansquenets killed around 18,000 peasants against the duke's will. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
The rebellious peasants in Heilbronn town hall: After the peasants had stormed the neighboring town of Weinsberg on April 16 and committed the Weinsberg atrocity, they turned their attention to Heilbronn. On April 19, several peasant leaders, including Jäcklein Rohrbach from Böckingen and Enderlin from Dürrenzimmern, were admitted to Heilbronn for negotiations. Johann Lachmann (Lutheran theologian, 1491 - 1538) was also called in for these negotiations. It was thanks to his negotiating skills that the imperial cities of Heilbronn and Wimpfen were spared worse devastation during the Peasants' War. Heilbronn joined the “Brotherhood” and swore allegiance to the Twelve Articles and raised a burgher force for the peasant army. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
After the storming of Maichau Castle (Carniola, Slovenia) on May 17, 1515 by rebellious peasants during the Windisch Peasants' War. After the castle was stormed, the two Mündorffs and Caspar von Wernegkh were beheaded, and their two sons were strangled. Balthasar's wife Martha was dressed in peasant clothing and forced to work in the fields, and their young daughter was taken by an old woman. These gruesome events were also depicted in literary works by Slovenian poets in the 19th century. Wood engraving based on a drawing by Victor Schivert Romanian-German painter, 1863 - 1929), published in 1891.
