HuttenwascompelledtofleetoSwitzerland，wherehediedafewmonthslaterontheIsleofUfnau，ontheLakeofZurich。
Withthisdefeat，andwiththedeathofbothleaders，thepowerofthenobilityasabody，independentoftheprinces，wasbroken。Fromthenonthenobilityappearedonlyintheserviceandundertheleadershipoftheprinces。ThePeasantWar，whichsoonbrokeout，drovethenoblesstillmoredeeplyunderthedirectorindirectprotectionoftheprinces。
ItprovedthattheGermannobilitypreferredtocontinuetheexploitationofthepeasantsunderprincelysovereignty，ratherthanoverthrowtheprincesandprieststhroughanopenalliancewiththeemancipatedpeasants。
[Topart5]
ThePeasantWarinGermany：Chapter5FrederickEngels’
THEPEASANTWARINGERMANYCHAPTER5
ThePeasantWarinSuabiaandFranconiaFromthemomentwhenLuther’sdeclarationofwaragainsttheCatholichierarchysetintomotionalltheoppositionelementsofGermany，notayearpassedwithoutthepeasantscomingforthwiththeirdemands。
Between1518and1523，onelocalrevoltfollowedanotherintheBlackForestandinupperSuabia。BeginningintheSpringof1524，theserevoltsassumedasystematiccharacter。InAprilofthatyear，thepeasantsoftheAbbeyofMarchthalrefusedserflabourandduties;inMayofthesameyear，thepeasantsofSt。Blasienrefusedserfpayments;inJune，thepeasantsofSteinheimnearMemmingendeclaredtheywouldpayneitherthetithenorotherduties;inJulyandAugust，thepeasantsofThurgaurebelledandwerequietedpartlythroughthemediationofZurich，partlythroughthebrutalityoftheconfederacywhichexecutedmanyofthem。Finally，adecisiveuprisingtookplaceintheMargraviateofStuehlingen，whichmaybelookeduponastherealbeginningofthePeasantWar。
ThepeasantsofStuehlingensuddenlyrefuseddeliveriestotheLandgraveandassembledinstrongnumbers。OnOctober24，1524，theymovedtowardsWaldshutunderHansMuellerofBulgenbach。Heretheyorganisedanevangelicalfraternity，jointlywiththecitymiddle—class。ThelatterjoinedtheOrganisationthemorewillinglysincetheywereinconflictwiththegovernmentofUpperAustriaoverthereligiouspersecutionsoftheirpreacher，BalthaserHubmaier，afriendanddiscipleofThomasMuenzer’s。
Auniontaxofthreekreutzerweeklywasimposed。Itwasanenormoussumforthevalueofmoneyofthattime。EmissariesweresentouttoAlsace，totheMoselle，totheentireUpperRhineandtoFranconia，tobringpeasantseverywhereintotheUnion。TheaimsoftheUnionwereproclaimedasfollows：
abolitionoffeudalpower;destructionofallcastlesandmonasteries;
eliminationofallmastersoutsideoftheemperor。TheGermantricolourwasthebanneroftheUnion。
Theuprisingspreadrapidlyovertheentireterritoryofpresent—dayBaden。ApanicseizedthenobilityofUpperSuabia，whosemilitaryforceswereallengagedinItaly，inawaragainstFrancisIofFrance。Nothingremainedforitbuttogaintimebyprotractednegotiations，meanwhilecollectingmoneyandrecruitingtroops，pendingthemomentwhenitwouldfeelstrongenoughtopunishthepeasantsfortheiraudacityby\"burningandscorching，plunderingandmurdering。\"Fromthatmomenttherebeganthatsystematicbetrayal，thatconsistentrecoursetoperfidiousnessandsecretmalice，whichdistinguishedthenobilityandtheprincesthroughouttheentirePeasantWar，andwhichwastheirstrongestweaponagainstdecentralisedpeasants。TheSuabianUnion，comprisingtheprinces，thenobility，andtheimperialcitiesofSouthwestGermany，triedconciliatorymeasureswithoutguaranteeingthepeasantsrealconcessions。Thelattercontinuedtheirmovement。HansMuellerofBulgenbachmarched，fromSeptember30tothemiddleofOctober，throughtheBlackForestuptoUrachandFurtwangen，increasedhistroopsto3，500andtookapositionnearEratingen，notfarfromStuehlingen。Thenobilitybadnomorethan1，700menattheirdisposal，andeventhoseweredivided。Ithadtoagreetoanarmistice，whichwasconcludedinthecampatEratingen。Thepeasantswerepromisedapeacefulagreement，eitherdirectlybetweentheinterestedparties，orbymeansofanarbitrator，andaninvestigationofcomplaintsbythecourtatStockach。
Thetroopsofboththenobilityandthepeasantsweredispersed。
Thepeasantsformulatedsixteenarticles，theacceptanceofwhichwar，tobedemandedofthecourtatStockach。Thearticleswereverymoderate。
Theyincludedabolitionofthehuntingright，ofserflabour，ofexcessivetaxesandmasterprivilegesingeneral，protectionagainstwilfularrestsandagainstpartisancourts。Thepeasants’demandswentnofarther。
Nevertheless，immediatelyafterthepeasantswenthome，thenobilitydemandedcontinuationofallcontestedservicespendingthecourtdecision。
Thepeasantsrefused，advisingthemasterstogotothecourt。Thustheconflictwasrenewed，thepeasantsreassembled，andtheprincesandmastersonceagainconcentratedtheirtroops。ThistimethemovementspreadfarovertheBreisgauanddeepintoWuerttemberg。ThetroopsunderGeorgTruchsessofWaldburg，theAlbaofthePeasantWar，observedthepeasants’movements，attackedindividualreinforcements，butdidnotdaretoattackthemainforce。GeorgTruchsessnegotiatedwiththepeasantchiefs，andhereandthereheeffectedagreements。
BytheendofDecember，proceedingsbeganbeforethecourtatStockach。Thepeasantsprotestedagainstthecourt，composedentirelyofnobles。Inreply，animperialedicttothiseffectwasread。Theproceedingslagged，whilethenobility，theprincesandtheSuabianUnionauthoritieswerearmingthemselves。ArchdukeFerdinandwhodominated，besideshereditarylandsthenstillbelongingtoAustria，alsoWuerttemberg，theBlackForestandSouthernAlsace，orderedthegreatestseverityagainsttherebelliouspeasants。Theyweretobecaptured，mercilesslytorturedandkilled;theyweretobeexterminatedinthemostexpeditiousmanner;theirpossessionstobeburnedanddevastated，andtheirwivesandchildrendrivenfromtheland。Itwasinthatwaythattheprincesandmasterskeptthearmistice，andthisiswhatpassedforamicablearbitrationandinvestigationofgrievances。
ArchdukeFerdinand，towhomthehouseofWelserofAugsburgadvancedmoney，armedhimselfverycarefully。TheSuabianUnionorderedaspecialtax，andacontingentoftroopstobecalledinthreeinstallments。
Theforegoingrebellionscoincidedwiththefivemonths’presenceofThomasMuenzerintheHighland。Thoughtherearenodirectproofsofhisinfluenceovertheoutbreakandthecourseofthemovement，itis，nevertheless，indirectlyascertained。Themostoutspokenrevolutionariesamongthepeasantsweremostlyhisdisciples，defendinghisideas。TheTwelveArticles，aswellastheLetterofArticlesoftheHighlandpeasants，wereascribedtohimbyallthecontemporaries，althoughthefirstwascertainlynotcomposedbyMuenzer。Already，onhiswaybacktoThuringia，heissuedadecisiverevolutionarymanifestototheinsurgentpeasants。
DukeUlrich，who，since1519，hadbeenanexilefromWuerttemberg;
wasnowintriguingtoregainhislandwiththeaidofthepeasants。Sincethebeginningofhisexilebehadbeentryingtoutilisetherevolutionaryparty，andhadsupporteditcontinuously。Inmostofthelocaldisturbancestakingplacebetween1520and1524intheBlackForestandinWuerttemberg，hisnameappeared。NowhearmedhimselfdirectlyforanattackonWuerttembergtobelaunchedoutofhiscastle，Hohentweil。However，hewasonlyutilisedbythepeasantswithoutinfluencingthem，andwithoutenjoyingtheirconfidence。
Thewinterpassedwithoutanythingdecisivehappeningoneitherside。Theprincelymasterswereinhiding。Thepeasantrevoltwasgainingscope。InJanuary，1525，theentirecountrybetweentheDanube，theRhineandtheLech，wasinastateoffermentation。InFebruary，thestormbroke。
WhiletheBlackForestHegautroops，underHansMuellerofBulgenbach，wereconspiringwithUlrichofWuerttemberg，partlysharinghisfutilemarchonStuttgart（FebruaryandMarch，1525），thepeasantsaroseonFebruary9inRiedaboveUlm，assembledinacampnearBaltringenwhichwasprotectedbymarshes，hoistedtheredflag，andformed，undertheleadershipofUlrichSchmid，theBaltringentroop。Theywere10，000to12，000strong。
OnFebruary25，theUpperAllgaeutroops，7，000strong，assembledatSchusser，movedbytherumourthattroopsweremarchingagainstthedissatisfiedelementswhohadappearedinthislocalityaseverywhereelse。
ThepeopleofKempten，whohadconductedafightagainsttheirarchbishopthroughoutthewinter，assembledonthe26thandjoinedthepeasants。ThecitiesofMemmingenandKaufbeurenjoinedthemovementoncertainconditions。
Theambiguityofthepositionofthecitiesinthismovementwasalreadyapparent。OnMarch7，thetwelveMemmingenarticleswereproclaimedinMemmingenforallthepeasantsofUpperAllgaeu。
AmessagefromtheAllgaeupeasantsbroughtabouttheformationonLakeConstanceoftheLakeTroopunderEitelHans。Thistroopalsogrewfast。ItsheadquarterswereinBermatingen。
ThepeasantsalsoaroseinLowerAllgaeuintheregionofOchsenbausenandSchellenberg，inthelocalitiesofZeilandWaldburg，andintheestatesofTruchsess。ThemovementstartedintheearlydaysofMarch。ThisLowerAllgaeutroop，whichconsistedof7，000men，campednearWurzach。
AllthesetroopsadoptedtheMemmingenarticles，which，itmustbenoted，werestillmoremoderatethantheHegauarticles，manifesting，astheydid，aremarkablelackofdeterminationinpointsrelatingtotheattitudeofthearmedtroopstowardsthenobilityandthegovernments。
Suchdetermination，wherevermanifested，appearedonlyinthelaterstagesofthewar，whenthepeasantslearnedtoknowfromexperiencethemodeofactionoftheirenemies。
AsixthtroopwasformedontheDanube，simultaneouslywiththeothers。Fromtheentireregion，UlmtoDonauwoerth，fromthevalleysoftheIller，RothandBiber，thepeasantscametoLeipheim，andopenedcampthere。Fromfifteenlocalities，everyable—bodiedmanhadcome，whilereinforcementsweredrawnfrom117places。TheleaderoftheLeipheimtroopwasUlrichSchoen。ItspreacherwasJakobWehe，thepriestofLeipheim。
Thus，atthebeginningofMarch，therewerebetween30，000and40，000insurgentpeasantsofUpperSuabiainsixcampsunderarms。Thepeasanttroopswereaheterogeneouslot。Muenzer’srevolutionarypartywaseverywhereintheminoritybutitformedthebackboneofthepeasantcamps。Themassofthepeasantswerealwaysreadytoventurecompactswiththemasterswherevertheywerepromisedthoseconcessionswhichtheyhopedtoforceupontheirenemiesbytheirmenacingattitude。Moreover，astheuprisingdraggedonandtheprinces’armiesbegantoapproach，thepeasantsbecameweary。Mostofthosewhostillhadsomethingtolose，wenthome。
Addedtoallthedifficultieswasthefactthatthevagabondmassesofthelowgradeproletariathadjoinedthetroops。Thismadedisciplinemoredifficult，anddemoralisedthepeasants，asthevagabondswereanunreliableelement，comingandgoingallthetime。This，alone，issufficientexplanationwhy，atthebeginning，thepeasantsremainedeverywhereonthedefensive，whytheywerebecomingdemoralisedintheircamps，andwhy，asidefromtacticalshortcomingsandtherarityofgoodleaders，theycouldnotmatchthearmiesoftheprinces。
Whilethetroopswereassembling，DukeUlrichinvadedWuerttembergfromHohentweilwithrecruitedtroopsandanumberofHegaupeasants。Werethepeasantsnowtoproceedfromtheotherside，fromWaldburgagainstTruchsess’troops，theSuabianUnionwouldhavebeenlost。Butbecauseofthedefensiveattitudeofthepeasanttroops，TruchsesssoonsucceededinconcludinganarmisticewiththoseofBaltringen，Allgaeu，andtheLake，startingnegotiationsandfixingadateforterminatingthewholeundertaking，namely，JudicaSunday（April2）。Inthemeantime，hewasabletoproceedagainstDukeUlrich，tobesiegeStuttgart，compellinghimtoleaveWuerttembergasearlyasMarch17。Thenheturnedagainstthepeasants，buttheLansquenetsrevoltedinhisownarmyandrefusedtoproceedagainstthepeasants。TruchsesssucceededinplacatingthedisgruntledsoldiersandmovedtowardsUlm，wherenewreinforcementswerebeinggathered。HeleftanobservationpostatKerchiefunderthesupervisionofTeck。
AtlasttheSuabianUnion，withfreehandsandincommandofthe：firstcontingents，threwoffitsmask，declaringitself\"tobeready，witharmsinhandandwiththeaidofGod，tochangethatwhichthepeasantswilfullyventured。\"
Thepeasantsadheredstrictlytothearmistice。OnJudicaSundaytheysubmittedtheirdemands，thefamousTwelveArticles，forconsideration。
Theydemandedtheelectionandremovalofclergymenbythecommunities;
theabolitionofthesmalltitheandtheutilisationofthelargetithe，aftersubtractionofthepriests’salaries，forpublicpurposes;theabolitionofserfdom，offishingandhuntingrights，andofdeathtolls;thelimitationofexcessivebondedlabour，taxesandgroundrents;therestitutionoftheforests，meadowsandprivilegesforciblywithdrawnfromthecommunitiesandindividuals，andtheeliminationofwflfulnessinthecourtsandtheadministration。Itisobviousthatthemoderateconciliatorysectionstillhadtheupperhandamongthepeasanttroops。Therevolutionarypartyhadformulateditsprogrammeearlier，intheLetterofArticles。Itwasanopenlettertoallthepeasantry，admonishingthemtojoin\"theChristianAllianceandBrotherhood\"forthepurposeofremovingallburdenseitherbygoodness，\"whichwillhardlyhappen，\"orbyforce，andthreateningallthosewhorefusetojoinwiththe\"layanathema，\"thatis，withexpulsionfromthesocietyandfromanyintercoursewiththeUnionmembers。Allcastles，monasteriesandpriests’endowmentswerealso，accordingtotheLetter，tobeplacedunderlayanathemaunlessthenobility，thepriestsandthemonksrelinquishedthemoftheirownaccord，movedintoordinaryhouseslikeotherpeople，andjoinedtheChristianAlliance。WeseethatthisradicalmanifestowhichobviouslyhadbeencomposedbeforetheSpringinsurrectionof1525，dealsinthefirstplacewiththerevolution，withcompletevictoryovertherulingclasses，andthatthe\"layanathema\"onlydesignatesthoseoppressorsandtraitorsthatweretobekilled，thecastlesthatweretobeburned，andthemonasteriesandendowmentsthatweretobeconfiscated，theirjewelstobeturnedintocash。
BeforethepeasantssucceededinpresentingtheirTwelveArticlestothepropercourtsofarbitration，theylearnedthattheagreementhadbeenbrokenbytheSuabianUnionandthatitstroopswereapproaching。
Stepsweretakenimmediatelybythepeasants。AgeneralmeetingofallAllgaeu，BaltringenandLakepeasantswasheldatGeisbeuren。Thefourdivisionswerecombinedandreorganisedintofourcolumns。Adecisionwasmadetoconfiscatethechurchestates，toselltheirjewelsinfavourofthewarchest，andtoburnthecastles。Thus，asidefromtheofficialTwelveArticles，theLetteroftheArticlesbecametheruleofwarfare，andJudicaSunday，designatedfortheconclusionofpeacenegotiations，becamethedateofgeneraluprising。
Thegrowingagitationeverywhere，thecontinuedlocalconflictsofthepeasantswiththenobility，thenewsofagrowingrevoltintheBlackForestfortheprecedingsixmonthsandofitsspreaduptotheDanubeandtheLech，aresufficienttoexplaintherapidsuccessionofpeasantrevoltsintwo—thirdsofGermany。Thefact，however，thatthepartialrevoltstookplacesimultaneously，provesthatthereweremenattheheadofthemovementwhohadorganiseditthroughAnabaptistsandotheremissaries。
AlreadyinthesecondhalfofMarch，disordersbrokeoutinWuerttemberg，inthelowerregionsoftheNeckarandtheOdenwald，andinUpperandMiddleFranconia。April2，JudicaSunday，however，hadalreadybeennamedeverywhereasthedayofthegeneraluprising，andeverywherethedecisiveblow，therevoltofthemasses，fellinthefirstweekofApril。TheAllgaeu，HegauandLakepeasantssoundedthealarmbellsonApril1，callingintothecampamassmeetingofallable—bodiedmen，andtogetherwiththeBaltringenpeasants，theyimmediatelyopenedhostilitiesagainstthecastlesandmonasteries。
InFranconia，wherethemovementwasgroupedaroundsixcentres，theinsurrectionbrokeouteverywhereinthefirstdaysofApril。InNoerdlingentwopeasantcampswereformedaboutthattime，andtherevolutionarypartyofthecityunderAntonForner，aidedbythepeasants，gainedtheupperhand，appointingFornertheMayor，andcompletingaunionbetweenthecityandthepeasants。IntheregionofAnspach，thepeasantsrevoltedeverywherebetweenApril1and7，andfromheretherevoltsspreadasfarasBavaria。
IntheregionofRottenburg，thepeasantswerealreadyunderarmsonMarch22。InthecityofRottenburgtheruleofthehonourableswasoverthrownbythelowermiddle—classandplebeiansunderStephanofMenzingen，butsincethepeasantdueswerethechiefsourceofrevenueforthecity，thenewgovernmentwasabletomaintainavacillatingandequivocalattitudetowardsthepeasants。IntheGrandChapterofWurzburgtherewasageneraluprising，earlyinApril，ofthepeasantsandthesmallcities。InthebishopricofBamberg，ageneralinsurrectioncompelledthebishoptoyieldwithinfivedays。IntheNorth，ontheborderofThuringia，thestrongBildhausenPeasantCampwasorganised。
IntheOdenwald，whereWendelHipler，anobleandformerchancelloroftheCountofHohenlohe，andGeorgMetzler，aninnkeeperatBallenbergnearKrautheim，wereattheheadoftherevolutionaryparty，thestormbrokeoutonMarch26。ThepeasantsmarchedfromalldirectionstowardstheTauber。TwothousandmenfromtheRottenburgcampjoined。GeorgMetzlertookcommand，andhavingreceivedallreinforcements，marchedonApril4tothemonasteryofSchoenthalontheJaxt，wherehewasjoinedbythepeasantsoftheNeckarvalley。Thelatter，ledbyJaeckleinRohrbach，aninnkeeperatBoeckingennearHeilbronn，hadproclaimed，onJudicaSunday，theinsurrectioninFlein，Southeim，etc。，while，simultaneously，WendelHipler，withanumberofconspirators，tookOehringenbysurpriseanddrewthesurroundingpeasantsintothemovement。InSchoenthal，thetwopeasantcolumns，combinedintotheGayTroop，acceptedtheTwelveArticles，andorganisedexpeditionsagainstthecastlesandmonasteries。TheGayTroopwar，about8，000strong，andpossessedcannon，aswellas3，000guns。FlorianGeyer，aFranconianknight，alsojoinedthetroopandformedtheBlackHost，aselectdivisionwhichhadbeenrecruitedmainlyfromtheRottenburgandOehringeninfantry。
TheWuerttembergmagistrateinNeckarsulm，CountLudwigvonHelfenstein，openedhostilities。Withoutmuchado，heorderedallpeasantsthatfellintohishandstobeexecuted。TheGayTroopmarchedagainsthim。ThepeasantswereembitteredbythemassacresaswellasbynewsofthedefeatoftheLeipheimTroop，ofJakobWehe’sexecution，andtheTruchsessatrocities。
VonHelfenstein，whohadprecipitouslymovedintoWeinsberg，wasthereattacked。ThecastlewasstormedbyFlorianGeyer。Thecitywaswonafteraprolongedstruggle，andCountLudwigwastakenprisoner，aswereseveralknights。Onthefollowingday，April17，JaeckleinRohrbach，togetherwiththemostresolutemembersofthetroop，heldcourtovertheprisoners，andorderedfourteenofthem，withvonHelfensteinatthehead，torunthegauntlet，thisbeingthemosthumiliatingdeathhecouldinventforthem。ThecaptureofWeinsbergandtheterroristicrevengeofJaeckleinagainstvonHelfenstein，didnotfailtoinfluencethenobility。CountvonLoebensteinjoinedthePeasantAlliance。TheCountsvonHohenlohe，whohadjoinedpreviouslywithoutofferinganyaid，immediatelysentthedesiredcannonandpowder。
ThechiefsdebatedamongthemselveswhethertheyshouldnotmakeGoetzvonBerlichingentheircommander\"sincebecouldbringtothemthenobility。\"Theproposalfoundsympathy，butFlorianGeyer，whosawinthismoodofthepeasantsandtheirchiefsthebeginningofreaction，secededfromthetroop，andtogetherwithhisBlackHost，marchedfirstthroughtheNeckarRegion，thentheWuerzburgterritory，everywheredestroyingcastlesandpriests’nests。
TheremainderofthetroopmarchedfirsttowardsHeilbronn。Inthispowerfulandfreeimperialcity，thepatriciatewasconfronted，asalmosteverywhere，byamiddle—classandrevolutionaryopposition。Thelatter，insecretagreementwiththepeasants，openedthegatesbeforeG。MetzlerandJaeckleinRohrbach，onApril17，inthecourseofageneraldisturbance。Thepeasantchiefswiththeirpeopletookpossessionofthecity。Theyacceptedmembershipinthebrotherhood，anddelivered12，000
guildersinmoneyandasquadofvolunteers。OnlythepossessionsoftheclergyandtheTeutonicOrderwerepillaged。Onthe22d，thepeasantsmovedaway，leavingasmallgarrison。Heilbronnwasdesignatedasthecentreofthevarioustroops，thelatteractuallysendingdelegatesandconferringovercommonactionsandcommondemandsofthepeasantry。Butthemiddle—classoppositionandthehonourableswhohadjoinedthemafterthepeasantinvasion，regainedtheupperhandinthecity，preventingitfromtakingdecisivestepsandonlywaitingfortheapproach，oftheprinces’troopsinordertobetraythepeasantsdefinitely。
ThepeasantsmarchedtowardtheOdenwald。GoetzvonBerlichingenwho，afewdaysprevious，hadofferedhimselftotheGrandElectorPalatine，thentothepeasantry，thenagaintotheGrandElector，wascompelledonApril24tojointheEvangelistFraternity，andtotakeoverthesupremecommandoftheGayBrightTroop（incontrasttotheBlackTroopofFlorianGeyer）。Atthesametime，however，hewastheprisonerofthepeasantswhomistrustedhimandboundhimtoacouncilofchiefswithoutwhomhecouldundertakenothing。GoetzandMetzlermovedwithamassofpeasantsoverBuchentoArmorbach，wheretheyremainedfromApril30，untilMay5，arousingtheentireregionoftheMain。Thenobilitywaseverywherecompelledtojoin，andthusitscastleswerespared。Onlythemonasterieswereburnedandpillaged。Thetroopshadobviouslybecomedemoralised。
Themostenergeticmenwereaway，eitherunderFlorianGeyerorunderJaeckleinRohrbach，who，afterthecaptureofHeilbronn，alsoseparatedhimselffromthetroops，apparentlybecausehe，judgeofCountvonHelfenstein，couldnolongerremainwithabodywhichwasinfavourofreconciliationwiththenobility。Thisinsistenceonanunderstandingwiththenobilitywasinitselfasignofdemoralisation。Later，WendelHiplerproposedaveryfittingreorganisationofthetroops。HesuggestedthattheLansquenets，whoofferedthemselvesdaily，shouldbedrawnintotheservice，andthatthetroopsshouldnolongerberenewedmonthlybyassemblingfreshcontingentsanddismissingoldones，butthatthoseofthemwhohadreceivedmoreorlessmilitarytrainingshouldberetained。Thecommunityassemblyrejectedbothproposals。Thepeasantshadbecomearrogant，viewingtheentirewarasnothingbutapillage。Theywantedtobefreetogohomeassoonastheirpocketswerefull，butthecompetitionoftheLansquenetspromisedthemlittle。InAmorbach，itwentsofarthatHansBerlin，amemberofthecouncilofHeilbronn，inducedthechiefsandthecouncilsofthetroopstoaccepttheDeclarationoftheTwelveArticles，adocumentwhereintheremainingsharpedgesoftheTwelveArticleswereremoved，andinwhich，alanguageofhumblesupplicationwasputintothemouthsofthepeasants。
Thiswastoomuchforthepeasants，whorejectedtheDeclarationundergreattumult，andinsistedontheretentionoftheoriginalArticles。
Inthemeantime，adecisivechangehadtakenplaceintheregionofWuerzburg。Thebishopwho，afterthefirstuprisingearlyinApril，hadwithdrawntothefortifiedFrauenbergnearWuerzburg，fromtheretosendunsuccessfullettersinalldirectionsaskingforaid，wasfinallycompelledtomaketemporaryconcessions。OnMay2，aDietwasopenedwiththepeasantsrepresented，butbeforeanyresultscouldbeachieved，letterswereinterceptedwhichprovedthebishop’straitorousmachinations。TheDietimmediatelydispersed，andhostilitiesbrokeoutanewbetweentheinsurgentcityinhabitantsandthepeasantsononehand，andthebishop’sforcesontheother。ThebishopfledtoHeidelbergonMay5，andonthefollowingdayFlorianGeyer，withtheBlackTroop，appearedinWuerzburgandwithhimtheFranconianTauberTroopwhichconsistedofthepeasantsofMergentheim，RottenburgandAnspach。OnMay7，GoetzvonBerlichingenwithhisGayBrightTroopscame，andthesiegeofFrauenbergbegan。
InthevicinityofLimpurgandintheregionofEllwangenandHall，anothercontingentwasformedbytheendofMarchandthebeginningofApril，thatofGaildorfortheCommonGayTroop。Itsactionswereveryviolent。Itarousedtheentireregion，burnedmanymonasteriesandcastles，includingthecastleofHohenstaufen，compelledallthepeasantstojoinit，andcompelledallnobles，eventhecup—bearersofLimpurg，toentertheChristianAlliance。EarlyinMayitinvadedWuerttemberg，butwaspersuadedtowithdraw。TheseparatismoftheGermansystemofsmallstatesstoodthen，asin1848，inthewayofacommonactionoftherevolutionariesofthevariousstateterritories。TheGaildorftroop，limitedtoasmallarea，wasnaturallyboundtodispersewhenallresistancewithinthatareawasbroken。ThemembersofthistroopconcludedanagreementwiththecityofGmuend，andleavingonly500underarms，theywenthome。
InthePalatinate，peasanttroopswereformedoneitherbankoftheRhinebytheendofApril。Theydestroyedmanycastlesandmonasteries，andonMay1theytookNeustadtontheHardt。TheBruchrainpeasants，whoappearedinthisregion，hadonthepreviousdayforcedSpeyertoconcludeanagreement。TheMarshalofZabern，withthefewtroopsoftheElector，waspowerlessagainstthem，andonMay10theElectorwascompelledtoconcludeanagreementwiththepeasants，guaranteeingthemaredressoftheirgrievances，tobeeffectedbyaDiet。
InWuerttembergtherevolthadoccurredearlyinseparatelocalities。
AsearlyasFebruary，thepeasantsoftheUrachAlpformedaunionagainstthepriestsandmasters，andbytheendofMarchthepeasantsofBlaubeuer，Urach，Muensingen，BalingenandRosenfeldrevolted。TheWuerttembergregionwasinvadedbytheGaildorftroopatGoeppingen，byJaeckleinRohrbachatBrackenheim，andbytheremnantsofthevanquishedLeipheimtroopatPfuelingen。ARthesenewcomersarousedtheruralpopulation。Therewerealsoseriousdisturbancesinotherlocalities。OnApril6，Pfuelingencapitulatedbeforethepeasants。ThegovernmentoftheAustrianArchdukewasinaverydifficultsituation。Ithadnomoneyandbutfewtroops。Thecitiesandcastleswereinabadcondition，lackinggarrisonsormunitions，andevenAspergwaspracticallydefenseless。Theattemptofthegovernmenttocalloutcityreservesagainstthepeasants，decideditstemporarydefeat。OnApril16thereservesofthecityofBottwarrefusedtoobeyorders，marching，insteadoftoStuttgart，toWunnensteinnearBottwar，wheretheyformedthenucleusofacampofmiddle—classpeopleandpeasants，andaddedothernumbersrapidly。OnthesamedaytherebellionbrokeoutinZabergau。ThemonasteryofMaulbronnwaspillaged，andanumberofmonasteriesandcastleswereruined。TheGaeupeasantsreceivedreinforcementsfromtheneighbouringBruchrain。
ThecommandoftheWunnensteintroopwastakenbyMaternFeuerbacher，acouncillorofthecityofBottwar，oneoftheleadersofthemiddle—classoppositioncompromisedenoughtobecompelledtojointhepeasants。Inspiteofhisnewaffiliations，however，heremainedverymoderate，prohibitingtheapplicationoftheLetterofArticlestothecastles，andseekingeverywheretoreconcilethepeasantswiththemoderatemiddle—class。HepreventedtheamalgamationoftheWuerttembergpeasantswiththeGayBrightTroop，andafterwardshealsopersuadedtheGaildorftrooptowithdrawfromWuerttemberg。
OnApril19hewasdeposedinconsequenceofhismiddle—classtendencies，butthenextdayhewasagainmadecommander。Hewasindispensable，andevenwhenJaeckleinRohrbachcame，onApril22，with200ofhisassociatestojointheWuerttembergpeasants，hecoulddonothingbutleaveFeuerbacherinhisplaceofcommander，confininghimselftorigidsupervisionofhisactions。
OnApril18，thegovernmentattemptedtonegotiatewiththepeasantsstationedatWunnenstein。ThepeasantsinsisteduponacceptanceoftheTwelveArticles，butthisthegovernment’srepresentativesrefusedtodo。
Thetroopnowproceededtoact。OnApril20，itreachedLaufen，where，forthelasttime，itrejectedtheoffersofthegovernmentdelegates。
OnApril22，thetroops，numbering6，000，appearedinBietighein，threateningStuttgart。Mostofthecitycouncilhadfled，andacitizens’committeewasplacedattheheadoftheadministration。Thecitizenryherewasdivided，aselsewhere，betweenthepartiesofthehonourables，themiddle—classopposition，andtherevolutionaryplebeians。OnApril25，thelatteropenedthegatesforthepeasants，andStuttgartwasimmediatelygarrisonedbythem。HeretheOrganisationoftheGayChristianTroop（astheWuerttemberginsurgentscalledthemselves）wasperfected，andrulesandregulationswereestablishedforremuneration，divisionofbootyandalimentation。
AdetachmentofStuttgarters，underTheusGerber，joinedthetroops。
OnApril29，FeuerbacherwithallhismenmarchedagainsttheGaildorftroops，whichhadenteredtheWuerttembergregionatSchorndorf。
HedrewtheentireregionintohisallianceandthuspersuadedtheGaildorftroopstowithdraw。Inthisway，hepreventedtherevolutionaryelementsofhismenunderRohrbachfromcombiningwiththerecklesstroopsofGaildorfandthusreceivingadangerousreinforcement。HavingbeeninformedofTruchsess’
approach，heleftSchorndorftomeethim，andonMayIencampednearKerchiefunderTeck。
WehavethustracedtheoriginandthedevelopmentoftheinsurrectioninthatportionofGermanywhichmustbeconsideredtheterritoryofthefirstgroupofpeasantarmies。Beforeweproceedtotheothergroups（ThuringiaandHesse，Alsace，AustriaandtheAlps）wemustgiveanaccountofthemilitaryoperationsofTruchsess，inwhichhe，aloneatthebeginning，latersupportedbyvariousprincesandcities，annihilatedthefirstgroupofinsurgents。WeleftTruchsessnearUlm，wherehecamebytheendofMarch，havingleftanobservationcorpsunderTeck，underthecommandofDietrichSpaet。Truchsess’corpswhichtogetherwiththeUnionreinforcementsconcentratedinUlmcountedhardly10，000，amongthem7，200infantrymen，wastheonlyarmyathisdisposalcapableofanoffensiveagainstthepeasants。
ReinforcementscametoUlmveryslowly，dueinparttothedifficultiesofrecruitingininsurgentlocalities，inparttothelackofmoneyinthehandsofthegovernment，andalsotothefactthatthefewavailabletroopswereeverywhereindispensableforgarrisoningthefortressesandthecastles。WehavealreadyobservedwhatasmallnumberoftroopswereatthedisposaloftheprincesandcitiesthatdidnotbelongtotheSuabianUnion。EverythingdependeduponthesuccesseswhichGeorgTruchsesswithhisunionarmywouldscore。
TruchsessturnedfirstagainsttheBaltringentroopswhich，inthemeantime，badbeguntodestroycastlesandmonasteriesinthevicinityofRied。Thepeasantswho，withtheapproachoftheUniontroopswithdrewintoRied，weredrivenoutofthemarshesbyanenvelopingmovement，crossedtheDanubeandranintotheravinesandforestsoftheSuabianAlps。Inthisregion，wherecannonandcavalry，themainsourceofstrengthoftheUnionarmy，wereoflittleavail，Truchsessdidnotpursuethemfurther。
HemarchedinsteadagainsttheLeipheimtroopswhichnumbered5，000menstationedatLeipheim，4，000inthevalleyofMindel，and6，000atIllertissen，andwasarousingtheentireregion，destroyingmonasteriesandcastles，andpreparingtomarchagainstUlmwithitsthreecolumns。Itseemsthatacertaindemoralisationhadsetinamongthepeasantsofthisdivision，whichhadunderminedtheirmilitarymorale，forJakobWehetriedattheverybeginningtonegotiatewithTruchsess。Thelatter，however，nowbackedbysufficientmilitarypower，declinednegotiations，andonApril4attackedthemaintroopsatLeipheimandentirelydisruptedthem。JakobWeheandUIrichSchoen，togetherwithtwootherpeasantleaders，werecapturedandbeheaded。Leipheimcapitulated，andafterafewmarchesthroughthesurroundingcountry，theentireregionwassubdued。
AnewrebellionoftheLansquenets，causedbyademandforplunderandadditionalremuneration，againstoppedTruchsess’activitiesuntilApril10，whenhemarchedsouthwestagainsttheBaltringentroopwhichinthemeantimehadinvadedhisestates，Waldburg，ZeilandWolfegg，andbesiegedhiscastles。Here，also，hefoundthepeasantsdisunited，anddefeatedthem，onApril11and12，oneaftertheother，invariousencounterswhichcompletelydisruptedtheBaltringentroops。ItsremnantswithdrewunderthecommandofthepriestFlorian，andjoinedtheLaketroops。Truchsessnowturnedagainstthelatter。TheLaketroopswhichinthemeantimehadmadenotonlymilitarymarchesbuthadalsodrawnthecitiesBuchhorn（Friedrichshafen）
andWollmatingenintothefraternity，held，onApril13，abigmilitarycouncilinthemonasteryofSalem，anddecidedtomoveagainstTruchsess。
Alarmbellsweresoundedand10，000men，joinedbythedefeatedremnantsoftheBaltringentroops，assembledinthecampofBermatingen。OnApril15theystoodtheirowninacombatwithTruchsess，whodidnotwishtoriskhisarmyinadecisivebattle，preferringtonegotiate，themoresosincehereceivednewstheapproachoftheAllgaeuandHegautroops。OnApril17，inWeingarten，heconcludedanagreementwiththeLakeandBaltringenpeasantswhichseemedquitefavourabletothem，andwhichtheyacceptedwithoutsuspicion。HealsoinducedthedelegatesoftheUpperandLowerAllgaeupeasantstoaccepttheagreement，andthenmovedtowardsWuerttemberg。
Truchsess’cunningsavedhimherefromcertainruin。Hadhenotsucceededinfoolingtheweak，limited，forthemostpartdemoralisedpeasantsandtheirusuallyincapable，timidandvenalleaders，hewouldhavebeenclosedinwithhissmallarmybetweenfourcolumnsnumberingatleastfrom25，000to30，000men，andwouldhaveperished。Itwasthenarrow—mindednessofhisenemies，alwaysinevitableamongthepeasantmasses，thatmadeitpossibleforhimtodisposeofthemattheverymomentwhen，withoneblow，theycouldhaveendedtheentirewar，atleastasfarasSuabiaandFranconiawereconcerned。TheLakepeasantsadheredtotheagreement，whichfinallyturnedouttobetheirundoing，sorigidlythattheylatertookuparmsagainsttheirallies，theHegaupeasants。AndalthoughtheAllgaeupeasants，involvedinthebetrayalbytheirleaders，soonrenouncedtheagreement，Truchsesswasthenoutdanger。
TheHegaupeasants，thoughnotincludedintheWeingartenagreement，gaveanewexampleoftheappallingnarrow—mindednessandthestubbornprovincialismwhichruinedtheentirePeasantWar。When，afterunsuccessfulnegotiationswiththem，Truchsess，movedtowardsWuerttemberg，theyfollowedhim，continuallypressinghisflank，butitdidnotoccurtothemtounitewiththeWuerttembergGayChristianTroop，becausepreviouslythepeasantsofWuerttembergandtheNeckarvalleyrefusedtocometotheirassistance。
WhenTruchsesshadmovedfarenoughfromtheirhomecountry，theyreturnedpeacefullyandmarchedtoFreiburg。
WelefttheWuerttembergpeasantsunderthecommandofMatemFeuerbacheratKerchiefbelowTeck，fromwheretheobservationcorpsleftbyTruchsesshadwithdrawntowardsUrachunderthecommandofDietrichSpaet。AfteranunsuccessfulattempttotakeUrach，FeuerbacherturnedtowardsNuertingen，sendingletterstoallneighbouringinsurgenttroops，callingreinforcementsforthedecisivebattle。ConsiderablereinforcementsactuallycamefromtheWuerttemberglowlandsaswellasfromGaeu。TheGaeupeasantshadgroupedthemselvesaroundtheremnantsoftheLeipheimtroopwhichhadwithdrawntoWestWuerttemberg，andtheyarousedtheentirevalleysofNeckarandNagoldtuptoBoetlingenandLeonberg。ThoseGaeupeasants，onMay5，cameintwostrongcolumnstojoinFeuerbacheratNuertingen。TruchsessmettheunitedtroopsatBoetlingen。Theirnumber，theircannonandtheirpositionperplexedhim。Asusual，hestartednegotiationsandconcludedanarmisticewiththepeasants。Butassoonashehadthussecuredhisposition，heattackedthemonMay12duringthearmistice，andforcedadecisivebattleuponthem。ThepeasantsofferedalongandbraveresistanceuntilfinallyBoetlingenwassurrenderedtoTruchsessowingtothebetrayalofthemiddle—class。Theleftwingofthepeasants，deprivedofitsbaseofsupport，wasforcedbackandencompassed。Thisdecidedthebattle。Theundisciplinedpeasantswerethrownintodisorderand，later，intoawildflight，thosethatwerenotkilledorcapturedbythehorsemenoftheUnionthrewawaytheirweaponsandwenthome。TheBrightChristianTroop，andwithittheentireWuerttemberginsurrectionwasgone。TheusGerberfledtoEsslingen，FeuerbacherfledtoSwitzerland，JaeckleinRohrbachwascapturedanddraggedinchainstoNeckargartach，whereTruchsessorderedhimchainedtoapost，surroundedbyfirewoodandroastedtodeathonaslowfire，whilehe，feastingwithhorsemen，gloatedoverthisnoblespectacle。
FromNeckargartach，TruchsessgaveaidtotheoperationsoftheElectorPalatinebyinvadingKraichgau。HavingreceivedwordofTruchsess’
successes，theElector，whomeanwhilehadgatheredtroops，immediatelybrokehisagreementwiththepeasants，attackedBruchrainonMay23，capturedandburnedMalschaftervigorousresistance，pillagedanumberofvillages，andgarrisonedBruchsal。AtthesametimeTruchsessattackedEppingenandcapturedthechiefofthelocalmovement，AntonEisenhut，whomtheElectorimmediatelyexecutedwithadozenotherpeasantleaders。BruchrainandKraichgauwerethussubjugatedandcompelledtopayanindemnityofabout40，000guilders。Botharmies，thatofTruchsessnowreducedto6，000meninconsequenceoftheprecedingbattles，andthatoftheElector（6，500
men），unitedandmovedtowardstheOdenwald。
WordoftheBoetlingendefeatspreadterroreverywhereamongtheinsurgents。Thefreeimperialcitieswhichhadcomeundertheheavyhandofthepeasants，sighedinrelief。ThecityofHeilbronnwasthefirsttotakestepstowardsreconciliationwiththeSuabianUnion。Heilbronnwastheseatofthepeasants’mainofficeandthatofthedelegatesofthevarioustroopswhodeliberatedovertheproposalstobemadetotheemperorandtheempireinthenameofalltheinsurgentpeasants。InthesenegotiationswhichweretolaydowngeneralrulesforallofGermany，itagainbecameapparentthatnoneoftheexistingestates，includingthepeasants，wasdevelopedsufficientlytobeabletoreconstructthewholeofGermanyaccordingtoitsownviewpoint。Itbecameobviousthattoaccomplishthis，thesupportofthepeasantryandparticularlyofthemiddle—classmustbegained。Inconsequence，WendelHiplertookovertheconductofthenegotiations。Ofalltheleadersofthemovement，WendelHiplerbadthebestunderstandingoftheexistingconditions。Hewasnotafar—seeingrevolutionaryofMuenzer’stype;hewasnotarepresentativeofthepeasantsaswereMetzlerorRohrbach;hismany—sidedexperiences，hispracticalknowledgeofthepositionofthevariousestatestowardseachotherpreventedhimfromrepresentingoneoftheestatesengagedinthemovementinoppositiontotheother。justasMuenzer，arepresentativeofthebeginningsoftheproletariatthenoutsideoftheexistingofficialOrganisationofsociety，wasdriventotheanticipationofcommunism，WendelHipler，therepresentative，asitwere，oftheaverageofallprogressiveelementsofthenation，anticipatedmodernbourgeoissociety。Theprinciplesthathedefended，thedemandsthatheformulated，thoughnotimmediatelypossible，werethesomewhatidealised，logicalresultofthedissolutionoffeudalsociety。Insofarasthepeasantsagreedtoproposelawsforthewholeempire，theywerecompelledtoacceptHipler’sprinciplesanddemands。Centralisationdemandedbythepeasantsthusassumed，inHeilbronn，adefiniteform，which，however，wasworldsawayfromtheideasofthepeasantsthemselvesonthesubject。
Centralisation，forinstance，wasmoreclearlydefinedinthedemandsfortheestablishmentofuniformcoins，measuresandweights，fortheabolitionofinternalcustoms，etc。，indemands，thatistosay，whichweremuchmoreintheinterestsofthecitymiddle—classthanintheinterestsofthepeasants。Concessionsmadetothenobilitywereacertainapproachtothemodernsystemofredemptionandaimed，finally，totransformfeudallandownershipintobourgeoisownership。Inaword，sofarasthedemandsofthepeasantswerecombinedintoasystemof\"imperialreform，\"theydidnotexpressthetemporarydemandsofthepeasantsbutbecamesubordinatetothegeneralinterestsofthemiddle—classasawhole。
WhilethisreformoftheempirewasstillbeingdebatedinHeilbronn，theauthoroftheDeclarationoftheTwelveArticles，HansBerlin，wasalreadyonhiswaytomeetTruchsess，tonegotiateinthenameofthehonourables，themiddle—classandthecitizenryonthesurrenderofthecity。Reactionarymovementswithinthecitysupportedthisbetrayal，andWendelHiplerwasobligedtoflee，aswerethepeasants。HewenttoWeinsbergwherebeattemptedtoassembletheremnantsoftheWuerttembergpeasantsandthosefewoftheGaildorftroopswhichcouldbemobilised。TheapproachoftheElectorPalatineandofTruchsess，however，drovehimoutofthereandhewascompelledtogotoWuerzburgtocausetheGayBrightTrooptoresumeoperations。
Inthemeantime，thearmiesoftheUnionandtheElectorsubduedtheNeckarregion，compelledthepeasantstotakeanewoath，burnedmanyvillages，andstabbedorhangedallfleeingpeasantsthatfellintotheirhands。
ToavengetheexecutionofHelfenstein，Weinsbergwasburned。
ThetroopsthatwereassembledinfrontofWuerzburghadinthemeantimebesiegedFrauenberg。OnMay15，beforeagapwasmadebytheirfusillade，theybravelybutunsuccessfullyattemptedtostormthefortress。
Fourhundredofthebestmen，mostlyofFlorianGeyser’shost，remainedintheditches，deadorwounded。Twodayslater，May17，WendelHiplerappearedandorderedamilitarycouncil。HeproposedtoleaveatFrauenbergonly4，000menandtoplacethemainforce，about20，000men，inacampatKrautheimontheJaxt，beforetheveryeyesofTruchsess，sothatallreinforcementsmightbeassembledthere。Theplanwasexcellent。Onlybykeepingthemassestogether，andbyanumericalsuperiority，couldonehopetodefeatthearmyoftheprinceswhichnownumberedabout13，000
men。Thedemoralisationanddiscouragementofthepeasants，however，hadgonetoofartomakeanyenergeticactionpossible。GoetzvonBerlichingen，whosoonafterwardsopenlyappearedasatraitor，mayhavehelpedtoholdthetroopback。ThusHipler’splanwasneverputintoaction;thetroopsweredividedasever，andonlyonMay23didtheGayBrightTroopstartactionaftertheFranconianshadpromisedtofollowquickly。OnMay26，thedetachmentsoftheMargraveofAnspach，locatedinWuerzburg，werecalled，duetothewordthattheMargravehadopenedhostilitiesagainstthepeasants。Therestofthebesiegingarmy，withFlorianGeyser’sBlackTroop，tookpositionatHeidingsfeldnotfarfromWuerzburg。
TheGayBrightTrooparrivedonMay24inKrautheiminaconditionfarfromgood。ManypeasantslearnedthatintheirabsencetheirvillageshadtakentheoathatTruchsess’behest，andthistheyusedasapretexttogohome。ThetroopsmovedfurthertoNeckarsulm，andonMay28startednegotiationswithTruchsess。AtthesametimemessengersweresenttothepeasantsofFranconia，AlsaceandBlackForest—Hegau，withthedemandtohurryreinforcements。FromNeckarsulmGoetzmarchedtowardsOehringen。
Thetroopsmeltedfromdaytoday。GoetzvonBerlichingenalsodisappearedduringthemarch。Herodehome，havingpreviouslynegotiatedwithTruchsessthroughhisoldbrother—in—arms，DietrichSpaet，concerninghisgoingovertotheotherside。InOehringen，afalserumouroftheenemyapproachingthrewthehelplessanddiscouragedmassintoapanic。Thetroopwasrapidlydisintegrating，anditwaswithdifficultythatMetzlerandWendelHiplersucceededinkeepingtogetherabout2，000men，whomtheyagainledtowardsKrautheim。Inthemeantime，theFranconianarmy，5，000strong，hadcome，butinconsequenceofasidemarchoverLoewensteintowardsOehringen，orderedbyGoetzapparentlywithtreacherousintentions，itmissedtheGayTroopandmovedtowardsNeckarsulm。Thissmalltown，defendedbyadetachmentoftheGayBrightTroop，wasbesiegedbyTruchsess。TheFranconiansarrivedatnightandsawthefiresoftheUnionarmy，buttheirleadershadnotthecouragetobraveanattack。TheyretreatedtoKrautheim，wheretheyatlastfoundtheremainderoftheGayBrightTroop。Receivingnoaid，Neckarsulmsurrenderedonthe29thtotheUniontroops。Truchsessimmediatelyordered13peasantsexecuted，andwenttomeetthetroop，burning，pillagingandmurderingallalongthewaythroughthevalleysofNeckar，KocherandJaxt。Heapsofruinsandbodiesofpeasantshangingontreesmarkedhismarch。
AtKrautheimtheUnionarmymetthepeasantswho，forcedbyaflankmovementofTruchsess，hadwithdrawntowardsKoenigshofenontheTauber。Heretheytooktheirposition，8，000innumber，with32cannon。
Truchsessapproachedthem，hiddenbehindhillsandforests。Hesentoutcolumnstoenvelopthem，andonJune2，heattackedthemwithsuchasuperiorityofforcesandenergythatinspiteofthestubbornresistanceofseveralcolumnslastingintothenight，theyweredefeatedanddispersed。Aseverywhere，thehorsemenoftheUnion，\"thepeasants’death，\"weremainlyinstrumentalinannihilatingtheinsurgentarmy，throwingthemselvesonthepeasants，whowereshakenbyartillerygunfireandlanceattacks，disruptingtheirrankscompletely，andkillingindividualfighters。ThekindofwarfareconductedbyTruchsessandhishorsemenismanifestedinthefateof300
Koenigshofmiddle—classmenunitedwiththepeasantarmy。Duringthebattle，allbutfifteenwerekilled，andoftheseremainingfifteen，fourweresubsequentlydecapitated。
HavingthuscompletedhisvictoryoverthepeasantsofOdenwald，theNeckarvalleyandlowerFranconia，Truchsesssubduedtheentireregionbymeansofpunitiveexpeditions，burningentirevillagesandcausingnumberlessexecutions。FromtherehemovedtowardsWuerzburg。OnhiswayhelearnedthatthesecondFranconiantroopsunderthecommandofFlorianGeyerandGregorvonBurg—BernsheimwasstationedatSulzdorf。Heimmediatelymovedagainstthem。
FlorianGeyer，who，aftertheunsuccessfulattemptatstormingFrauenberg，haddevotedhimselfmainlytonegotiationswiththeprincesandthecities，especiallywithRottenburgandMargraveCasimirofAnspach，urgingthemtojointhepeasantfraternity，wassuddenlyrecalledinconsequenceofwordoftheKoenigshofendefeat。HistroopswerejoinedbythoseofAnspachunderthecommandofGregorvonBurg—Bernsheim。Thelattertroopshadbeenonlyrecentlyformed。MargraveCasimirhadmanaged，intrueHohenzollernstyle，tokeepincheckthepeasantrevoltinhisregion，partlybypromisesandpartlybythethreatofamassingtroops。HemaintainedcompleteneutralitytowardsalloutsidetroopsaslongastheydidnotincludeAnspachsubjects。
Hetriedtodirectthehatredofthepeasantsmainlytowardsthechurchendowments，throughtheultimateconfiscationofwhichhehopedtoenrichhimself。AssoonashereceivedwordoftheBoetlingenbattle，heopenedhostilitiesagainsthisrebelliouspeasants，pillagingandburningtheirvillages，andhangingorotherwisekillingmanyofthem。Thepeasants，however，quicklyassembled，andunderthecommandofGregorvonBurg—BernsheimdefeatedhimatWindsheim，May29。Whiletheywerestillpursuinghim，thecallofthehard—pressedOdenwaldpeasantsreachedthem，andtheyturnedtowardsHeidingsfeldandfromtherewithFlorianGeyer，againtowardsWuerzburg（June2）。StillwithoutwordfromtheOdenwald，theyleft5，000peasantsthere，andwiththeremaining4，000——manyhadrunaway——theyfollowedtheothers。ReassuredbyfalserumoursoftheoutcomeoftheKoenigshofenbattle，theywereattackedbyTruchsessatSulzdorfandcompletelydefeated。
ThehorsemenandservantsofTruchsessperpetrated，asusual，aterriblemassacre。FlorianGeyerkepttheremainderofhisBlackTroop，600innumber，andbattledhiswaythroughthevillageofIngolstadt。Heplaced200meninthechurchandcemeteryand400inthecastle。HehadbeenpursuedbytheElectorPalatine’sforces，ofwhomacolumnof1，200mencapturedthevillageandsetfiretothechurch。Thosewhodidnotperishintheflameswereslaughtered。TheElector’stroopsthenfiredonthecastle，madeagapintheancientwall，andattemptedtostormit。Twicebeatenbackbythepeasantswhostoodhiddenbehindaninternalwall，theyshotthewalltopieces，andattemptedathirdstorming，whichwassuccessful。HalfofGeyser’smenweremassacred;withtheother200hemanagedtoescape。Theirbidingplace，however，wasdiscoveredthefollowingday（Whit—Monday）。
TheElectorPalatine’ssoldierssurroundedthewoodsinwhichtheylayhidden，andslaughteredallthemen。Onlyseventeenprisonersweretakenduringthosetwodays。FlorianGeyeragainfoughthiswaythroughwithafewofhismostintrepidfightersandturnedtowardstheGaildorfpeasants，whohadagainassembledinabodyofabout7，000men。Uponhisarrival，hefoundthemmostlydispersed，inconsequenceofcrushingnewsfromeveryside。HemadealastattempttoassemblethedispersedpeasantsinthewoodsonJune9，butwasattackedbythetroops，andfellfighting。
Truchsess，who，immediatelyaftertheKoenigshofenvictory，hadsentwordtothebesiegedFrauenberg，nowmarchedtowardsWuerzburg。Thecouncilcametoasecretunderstandingwithhimsothat，onthenightofJune7，theUnionarmywasinapositiontosurroundthecitywhere5，000
peasantswerestationed，andthefollowingmorningtomarchthroughthegatesopenedbythecouncil，withoutevenliftingasword。BythisbetrayaloftheWuerzburg\"honourables\"thelasttroopsoftheFranconianpeasantsweredisarmedandalltheleadersarrested。Truchsessimmediatelyordered81ofthemdecapitated。HereinWuerzburgthevariousFranconianprincesappeared，oneaftertheother，amongthemtheBishopofWuerzburghimself，theBishopofBambergandtheMargraveofBrandenburg—Anspach。Thegraciouslordsdistributedtherolesamongthemselves。TruchsessmarchedwiththeBishopofBamberg，whopresentlybroketheagreementconcludedwithhispeasantsandofferedhisterritorytotheraginghordesoftheUnionarmy，whopillaged，massacredandburned。MargraveCasimirdevastatedhisownland。Teiningenwasburned，numerousvillageswerepillagedormadefuelfortheflames。IneverycitytheMargraveheldabloodycourt。InNeustadt，ontheAisch，heorderedeighteenrebelsbeheaded，intheBuergelMarch，forty—threesufferedasimilarfate。FromtherehewenttoRottenburgwherethehonourables，inthemeantime，hadmadeacounterrevolutionandarrestedStephanvonMenzingen。TheRottenburglowermiddle—classandplebeianswerenowcompelledtopayheavilyforthefactthattheybehavedtowardsthepeasantsinsuchanequivocalway，refusingtohelpthemtotheverylastmomentandintheirlocalnarrow—mindedegotisminsistingonthesuppressionofthecountrysidecraftsinfavourofthecityguilds，andonlyunwillinglyrenouncingthecityrevenuesflowingfromthefeudalservicesofthepeasants。
TheMargraveorderedsixteenofthemexecuted，Menzingenamongthem。InasimilarmannertheBishopofWuerzburgmarchedthroughhisregion，pillaging，devastatingandburningeverywhere。Onhistriumphalmarchheordered256
rebelstobedecapitated，anduponhisreturntoWuerzburghecrownedhisworkbydecapitatingthirteenmorefromamongtheWuerzburgrebels。