Memory of the bloodbath of 1525: What happened in Pfeddersheim?

Memory of the bloodbath of 1525: What happened in Pfeddersheim?

On February 12, 2025, the city of Worms of the bloodbath from 1525 intended to Pfeddersheim, a decisive event that marked the end of the German Peasant War. This violent conflict, which took place between 1524 and 1526 in south and southwestern Germany, was preceded by numerous uprisings from farmers and workers who were initiated by religious and economic abuses. Over the years, the uprisings not only spread through the Swabian region, but also over Saxony, Thuringia and Switzerland.

The farmers were looking for an early formulation of human and freedom rights with the “twelve articles of Memmingen” published in 1525. Among other things, they called for the choice of their own pastors and a reduced tax state to lead a decent life. The demand that widows and orphans should be protected from unjust robbery was also a central point of their complaint to the authorities reports the city of Memmingen .

The crucial fights

The decisive defeat of the farmers took place in the Battle of Pfeddersheim on June 23 and 24, 1525. Electoral troops defeated the Palatinate Farmers' Association, with both sides of relatively balanced troops. However, the princely troops were better equipped and trained, which ultimately led to their victory. The fate of the insurgents was sealed - the peasant war ended in the suppression of the uprisings until 1526 with an estimated 70,000 to 75,000 dead So the assessment of the Wikipedia .

Some of the social tensions that moved the farmers to the uprising are stored in the exorbitant taxes that were imposed on them, as well as criticism of the grievances within the church and the Catholic hierarchy. Martin Luther and other reformers criticized the grievances, but later distanced themselves from the peasant movement. Thomas Müntzer, a prominent agitator, joined the violent liberation of the farmers, but paid for it with his life when he was executed in 1525

celebrations for the anniversary

In the anniversary year, the city of Worms will carry out a number of events to remind you of the events of 1525. On June 21st and 22nd, the Pfeddersheim cultural initiative organized a historical market. From June 20, the musical spectacle "Pfeddersheimer Fate Day 1525" will be performed. Furthermore, from July 4 to November 2 in the Museum of the City of Worms, a special exhibition with the title "The Air of Freedom" will be shown, the exhibits from this eventful time will be presented.

The culture of remembrance around the German Peasant War and its effects on society remains of great importance to this day. Historians like Peter Blickle describe this conflict not only as a peasant uprising, but as a "revolution of the common man", in which city and miners were also active. The events of this time still throw a long shadow on German history and shape the self -image of many regions.