Course of the Protestant Revolt in Germany 101 Through the preachers here in Rothenburg, — namely, Caspar Cristian, a priest, and Brother Melchoir, who married the blind monk's sister and held the wedding in Schwarzman's house, — also especially through the efforts of Hans Rotfuchs, the blind monk himself, and another fellow who gave himself out for a peasant, and through cer- tain citizens here in Rothenburg who adhere to the heresy of Luther and Carlstadt, it has come about that bad, false teaching has greatly got the upper hand, owing also to the dissimulation and concessions of some of the town authorities. Dr. Andreas Carlstadt has appeared in person, preached here, and asked to be received as a burgher. On March 21, a Tuesday, thirty or forty peasants got together in a mob in Rothenburg, bought a kettledrum, and marched about the town, a part going to Pretheim and a part toward Orenbach. They got together again on Thursday and on Friday, as many as four hundred. The working classes in the tow r n now begin to revolt. They cease to obey the authorities and form a committee of thirty-six to manage affairs. Cunz Eberhardt and George Bermeter are meanwhile dispatched to learn what the peasants are doing ; but the peasants will give no reply, for they say that they have not all got together yet. A letter is received from Margrave Casimir [of Brandenburg]. This is read to the community. He offers to aid the town authorities and if necessary come in person to reestablish peace and harmony. The community and their committee of thirty-six treat this scornfully and do not accept the offer. March 24. This evening between five and six o'clock some one knocked off the head of Christ's image on a cruci- fix and struck off the arms. March 25. The town councils are in great danger and anxiety, for they are oppressed by the community and its committee of thirty-six. March 27. The councilors are forced to pledge their obedi- ence to the community, for they are taken out one by one, guarded by members of the committee of thirty-six. Each thought he was going to be killed, but after taking the 252. The revolt of the peasants and the artisans. (From Eisenhart of Rothen- burg; con- densed.) The working classes in Rothenburg revolt and form a provisional government.
