Alsfeld remains faithful!The people of Alsfeld stand by the sovereign

490 years ago, Alsfeld was at the center of the events of the so-called “Peasants’ War” for a few days, as Landgrave Philip “the Magnanimous” had “held a Diet here in 1525 during the time of the peasants’ uprising” (J.J. Winkelmann). At this assembly, he first ensured the loyalty of “his” city of Alsfeld before marching with his army to Thuringia against the insurgent “peasant hordes” and decisively defeating them in the Battle of Frankenhausen on May 15th. “Slaughter” would be the more appropriate term, as about 6,000 out of 8,000 insurgents died on the battlefield; 600 were taken prisoner, half of whom were executed a day later in front of the town hall or on the town common. The leader of the peasants, Thomas Müntzer, was handed over to the allied Count Ernst von Malsfeld, who had him interrogated, then tortured, and executed on May 27th.

490 years ago, the citizens of Alsfeld – despite riots (“Uffruhr”, “Versamelung”, “Aufrurens”) that also took place here – mostly stood by their sovereign. In gratitude, he granted them a wish: their pastor Tilemann Schnabel, who had received his doctorate from his friend Luther in 1515 and had fled Alsfeld in 1523, was allowed to return as pastor in Alsfeld in 1526 and was furthermore appointed Superintendent of the Diocese of Alsfeld and the County of Ziegenhain.

The wooden peasant tools depicted here are examples of the weaponry used by the insurgent peasants against the heavily armed troops of Landgrave Philip. (MNic)