Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/142

 104 Readings in European History Rothenburg deserts the empire and joins the peasants. Further attack of the peasants on the castle of Wiirzburg. Casimir's revenge. Defeat of the peasants by the Swabian League. May 6. Early in the morning the great bell rang three times, summoning the people to hear a message from Mar- grave Casimir, brought by three noblemen, and inviting all to take refuge in Rothenburg under his protection. The greater part refused, and some were noted by the margrave's representative, and afterward lost their heads. Monday. The peasants approach Neuhaus, and next day plunder and burn. In Rothenburg the citizens are summoned to decide whether, like the neighboring towns of Heilbronn, Dinkels- biihl, and Wimfen, they will aid the peasants. The majority decide to send them guns and pikes, powder and lead. May 12. The clergy forced to take arms like the rest All monks are compelled to lay aside their cowls and the nuns their veils. May 15. The bell summoned the community. In spite of the protests of the old Christians, they are forced to obey the majority, and Rothenburg that day fell away from the empire and joined the peasants. In the meantime a gallows was erected in the market place as a warning, according to their ideas of brotherhood. Supplies were sent to the camp. May 15. The peasants attack the castle of Wiirzburg and scale the walls, but are all killed. The peasants attempt to get possession of Rothenburg by conspiracy, but are ejected without bloodshed. May 21. Certain Hohenlohe peasants burn their lord's castle. On the next Monday Margrave Casimir proceeds with his forces to subdue and punish the peasants. Hans Krelein the older, priest at Wernitz, was beheaded, with four peas- ants, at Leutershausen. Seven have their ringers cut off. Likewise at Neuenstat eighteen burghers and peasants are beheaded. At Kitzingen fifty-eight have their eyes put out and are forbidden to enter the town again. On Friday before Whitsuntide the forces of the Swabian League slay four thousand peasants at Konigshofen. On Monday after Whitsunday eight thousand peasants are slaughtered by the troops of the League near Biittart