Sobeit！"（Cf。Zimmermann’sPeasantWar，II，p。75。）
Muenzerbadthesermonprinted。HisAltstedtprinterwaspunishedbyDukeJohannofSaxonywithbanishment。HisownwritingsweretobehenceforthsubjectedtothecensorshipoftheducalgovernmentinWeimar。Buthepaidnoheedtothisorder。HeimmediatelypublishedveryincitingpaperintheimperialcityofMuehlhausen，whereinheadmonishedthepeople"towidentheholesothatalltheworldmayseeandcomprehendwhoourfoolsarewhohaveblasphemouslyturnedourLordintoapaintedmannikin。"Heconcludedwiththefollowingwords："Alltheworldmustsufferabigjolt。
Thegamewillbesuchthattheungodlywillbethrownofftheirseatsandthedowntroddenwillrise。"Asamotto，ThomasMuenzer，"themanwiththehammer，"wrotethefollowingonthetitlepage："Beware，Ihaveputmywordsintothymouth;Ihaveliftedtheeabovethepeopleandabovetheempiresthatthoumayestuproot，destroy，scatterandoverthrow，andthatthoumayestbuildandplant。Awallofironagainstthekings，princes，priests，andforthepeoplehathbeenerected。Letthemfight，forvictoryiswondrous，andthestrongandgodlesstyrantswillperish。"
ThebreachbetweenMuenzerandLutherwithhispartyhadtakenplacelongbeforethat。LutherhimselfwascompelledtoacceptsomechurchreformswhichwereintroducedbyMuenzerwithoutconsultinghim。LutherwatchedMuenzer’sactivitieswiththenettleddistrustofamoderatereformertowardsanenergeticfar—aimingradical。Alreadyinthespringof1524，inalettertoMelanchthon，thatmodelofahecticstay—at—homePhilistine，MuenzerwrotethatheandLutherdidnotunderstandthemovementatall。
Theywereseeking，hesaid，tochokeitbyadherencetotheletteroftheBible，，andtheirdoctrinewasworm—eaten。"Dearbrethren，"hewrote，"stopyourdelayingandhesitating。Thetimehascome，thesummerisknockingatourdoors。DonotkeepfriendshipwiththeungodlywhopreventtheWordfromexercisingitsfullforce。Donotflatteryourprincesinorderthatyoumaynotperish’Withthem。Yetender，bookishscholars，donotbewroth，forIcannotdootherwise。"
LutherhadmorethanonceinvitedMuenzertoanopendebate。Thelatter，however，beingalwaysreadytoacceptbattleinthepresenceofthepeople，didnothavetheslightestdesiretoplungeintoatheologicalsquabblebeforethepartisanpublicoftheWittenbergUniversity。Hehadnodesire"tobringthetestimonyofthespiritbeforethehighschooloflearningexclusively。"IfLutherwassincere，hewrote，lethimusehisinfluencetostopthechicaneriesagainsthis，Muenzer’s，printers，andtoliftthecensorshipinorderthattheircontroversymightbefreelyfoughtoutinthepress。
Whentheabove—mentionedrevolutionarybrochureappeared，LutheropenlydenouncedMuenzer。Inhis"LettertothePrincesofSaxonyAgainsttheRebelliousSpirit，"hedeclaredMuenzertobeaninstrumentofSatan，anddemandedoftheprincestointervene，anddrivetheinstigatorsoftheupheavaloutofthecountry，since，hesaid，theydidnotconfinethemselvestopreachingtheirevildoctrine，butincitedtoinsurrection，toviolentlawlessactionagainsttheauthorities。
OnAugust1st，MuenzerwascompelledtoappearbeforetheprincesinthecastleofWeimar，todefendhimselfagainsttheaccusationofincendiarymachinations。Therewerehighlycompromisingfactsquotedagainsthim;
hissecretunionhadbeentraced;hishandwasdiscoveredintheOrganisationofthepitmenandthepeasants。Hewasbeingthreatenedwithbanishment。
UponreturningtoAItstedt，helearnedDukeGeorgofSaxonydemandedhisextradition。Unionlettersinhishandwritingbadbeenintercepted，whereinhecalledGeorg’ssubjectstoarmedresistanceagainsttheenemiesoftheGospel。Thecouncilwouldhaveextraditedhimhadhenotleftthecity。
Inthemeantime，therisingagitationamongthepeasantsandtheplebeianshadenormouslylightenedMuenzer’staskofpropaganda。InthepersonoftheAnabaptistshefoundinvaluableagents。Thissect，havingnodefinitedogmas，heldtogetherbycommonoppositionagainstallrulingclassesandbythecommonsymbolofsecondbaptism，asceticintheirmodeofliving，untiring，fanaticandintrepidinpropaganda，hadgroupeditselfmorecloselyaroundMuenzer。Madehomelessbyconstantpersecutions，itsmemberswanderedoverthelengthandbreadthofGermany，announcingeverywherethenewgospelwhereinMuenzerhadmadecleartothemtheirowndemandsandwishes。NumberlessAnabaptistswereputontherack，burnedorotherwiseexecuted。Butthecourageandenduranceoftheseemissarieswereunshaken，andthesuccessoftheiractivitiesamidsttherapidlyrisingagitationofthepeoplewasenormous。Thatwasoneofthereasonswhy，onhisflightfromThuringia，Muenzerfoundthegroundpreparedwhereverheturned。
InNuernberg，apeasantrevolthadbeennippedinthebudamonthprevious。HereMuenzerconductedhispropagandaundercover。Soonthereappearedpersonswhodefendedhismostaudacioustheologicaldoctrinesofthenon—obligatorypoweroftheBibleandthemeaninglessnessofsacraments，declaringChristtohavebeenamereman，andthepoweroflayauthoritiestobeungodly。"WeseethereSatanstalking，thespiritofAltstedt！"Lutherexclaimed。InNuernberg，MuenzerprintedhisreplytoLuther。Heaccusedhimofflatteringtheprincesandsupportingthereactionarypartybyhismoderateposition。"Thepeoplewillfreethemselvesinspiteofeverything，"
hewrote，"andthenthefateofDr。Lutherwillbethatofacaptivefox。"
Thecitycouncilorderedthepaperconfiscated，andMuenzerwascompelledtoleavethecity。FromtherehewentthroughSuabiatoAlsace，thentoSwitzerland，andthenbacktotheUpperBlackForestwheretheinsurrectionhadstartedseveralmonthsbefore，precipitatedlargelybytheAnabaptistemissaries。ThereisnodoubtthatthispropagandatripofMuenzer’saddedmuchtotheorganisationofthepeople’sparty，toaclearformulationofitsdemandsandtothefinalgeneraloutbreakoftheinsurrectioninApril，1525。ItwasthroughthistripthatthedualnatureofMuenzer’sactivitiesbecamemoreandmorepronounced——ontheonehand，hispropagandaamongthepeoplewhomheapproachedintheonlylanguagethencomprehensibletothemasses，thatofreligiousprophecy;ontheotherhand，hiscontactwiththeinitiated，towhomhecoulddisclosehisultimateaims。EvenprevioustothisjourneyhehadgroupedaroundhimselfinThuringiaacircleofthemostdeterminedpersons，notonlyfromamongthepeople，butalsofromamongthelowerclergy，acirclewhomhebadputattheheadofthesecretOrganisation。NowhebecamethecentreoftheentirerevolutionarymovementofsouthwestGermany，organisingconnectionsbetweenSaxonyandThuringiathroughFranconiaandSuabiauptoAlsaceandtheSwissfrontierandcountingamonghisdisciplesandtheheadsoftheOrganisationsuchmenasHubmaierofWaldshut，ConradGrebelofZurich，FranzRabmannofGriessen，SchappelarofMemmingen，JakobWeheofLeipheim，andDr。MantelinStuttgart，themostrevolutionaryofpriests。HekepthimselfmostlyinGriessenontheSchaffhausenfrontier，undertakingjourneysthroughtheHegau，Klettgau，etc。Thebloodypersecutionsundertakenbythealarmedprincesandmasterseverywhereagainstthisnewplebeianheresy，aidednotalittleinfanningtherebelliousspiritandclosingtheranksoftheOrganisation。Inthisway，MuenzerpassedfivemonthsinupperGermany。Whentheoutbreakofthegeneralmovementwasathand，hereturnedtoThuringia，wherehewishedtoleadthemovementpersonally。Therewewillfindhimlater。
Weshallseehowtrulythecharacterandthebehaviourofthetwopartyheadsreflectedthepositionoftheirrespectiveparties。Luther’sindecision，hisfearofthemovement，assumedseriousproportions;hiscowardlyservilitytowardstheprincescorrespondedcloselytothehesitating，vacillatingpolicyofthemiddle—classes。TherevolutionaryenergyanddecisivenessofMuenzer，ontheotherhand，wasseeninthemostadvancedfactionoftheplebeiansandpeasants。ThedifferencewasthatwhileLutherconfinedhimselftoanexpressionoftheideasandwishesofamajorityofhisclassandtherebyacquiredamongitaverycheappopularity，Muenzer，onthecontrary，wentfarbeyondtheimmediateideasanddemandsoftheplebeiansandpeasants，organisingoutofthethenexistingrevolutionaryelementsaparty，which，asfarasitstoodonthelevelofhisideasandsharedhisenergy，stillrepresentedonlyasmallminorityoftheinsurgentmasses。
[Topart3]
ThePeasantWarinGermany：Chapter3FrederickEngels’
THEPEASANTWARINGERMANYCHAPTER3
Precursors：PeasantUprisings，1475—1517AboutfiftyyearsafterthesuppressionoftheHussitemovement，thefirstsymptomsofabuddingrevolutionaryspiritbecamemanifestamongtheGermanpeasants。
Thefirstpeasantconspiracycameintobeingin1476，inthebishopricofWuerzburg，acountryalreadyimpoverished"bybadgovernment，manifoldtaxes，payments，feuds，enmity，war，fires，murders，prison，andthelike，"
andcontinuallyplunderedbybishops，clergyandnobilityinashamelessmanner。Ayoungshepherdandmusician，HansBoeheimofNiklashausen，alsocalledthe"Drum—Beater"and"HansthePiper，"suddenlyappearedinTaubergrundintheroleofaprophet。HerelatedthattheVirginhadappearedtohiminavision，thatshetoldhimtobumhisdrum，toceaseservingthedanceandthesinfulgratificationofthesenses，andtoexhortthepeopletodopenance。Therefore，hesaid，everybodyshouldpurgehimselfofsinandthevainlustsoftheworld，forsakealladornmentsandembellishments，andmakeapilgrimagetotheMadonnaofNiklashausentoattainforgiveness。
Alreadyamongtheseprecursorsofthemovementwenoticeanasceticismwhichistobefoundinallmediaevaluprisingsthatweretingedwithreligion，andalsoinmoderntimesatthebeginningofeveryproletarianmovement。
Thisausterityofbehaviour，thisinsistenceonrelinquishingallenjoymentoflife，contraststherulingclasseswiththeprincipleofSpartanequality。
Nevertheless，itisanecessarytransitionalstage，withoutwhichtheloweststrataofsocietycouldneverstartamovement。Inordertodeveloprevolutionaryenergy，inordertobecomeconsciousoftheirownhostilepositiontowardsallotherelementsofsociety，inordertoconcentrateasaclass，thelowerstrataofsocietymustbeginwithstrippingthemselvesofeverythingthatcouldreconcilethemtotheexistingsystemofsociety。Theymustrenounceallpleasureswhichwouldmaketheir，subduedpositionintheleasttolerableandofwhicheventheseverestpressurecouldnotdeprivethem。
Thisplebeianandproletarianasceticismdifferswidely，bothbyitswildfanaticformandbyitscontents，fromthemiddle—classasceticismaspreachedbythemiddle—classLutheranmoralityandbytheEnglishPuritans（tobedistinguishedfromtheindependentandfarther—reachingsects）whosewholesecretismiddle—classthrift。Itisquiteobviousthatthisplebeian—proletarianasceticismlosesitsrevolutionarycharacterwhenthedevelopmentofmodernproductiveforcesincreasesthenumberofcommodities，thusrenderingSpartanequalitysuperfluous，andontheotherhand，theverypositionoftheproletariatinsociety，andtherebytheproletariatitselfbecomesmoreandmorerevolutionary。
Gradually，thisasceticismdisappearsfromamongthemasses。Amongthesectswithwhichitsurvives，itdegenerateseitherintobourgeoisparsimonyorintohigh—soundingvirtuousnesswhich，intheend，isnothingmorethanPhilistineorguild—artisanniggardliness。Besides，renunciationofpleasuresneednotbepreachedtotheproletariatforthesimplereasonthatithasalmostnothingtorenounce。
HansthePiper’scalltopenitencefoundagreatresponse。Alltheprophetsofrebellionstartedwithappealsagainstsin，because，infact，onlyaviolentexertion，asuddenrenunciationofallhabitualformsofexistencecouldbringintounifiedmotionadisunited，widelyscatteredgenerationofpeasantsgrownupinblindsubmission。ApilgrimagetoNiklashausenbeganandrapidlyincreased，andthegreaterthemassesofpeoplethatjoinedtheprocession，themoreopenlydidtheyoungrebeldivulgehisplans。TheMadonnaofNiklashausen，hesaid，hadannouncedtohimthathenceforththereshouldbeneitherkingnorprinces，neitherpopenorotherecclesiasticorlayauthority。Everyoneshouldbeabrothertoeachother，andwinhisbreadbythetoilofhishands，possessingnomorethanhisneighbour。Alltaxes，groundrents，serfduties，tollsandotherpaymentsanddeliveriesshouldbeabolishedforever。Forests，watersandmeadowsshouldbefreeeverywhere。
Thepeoplereceivedthisnewgospelwithjoy。Thefameoftheprophet，"themessageofourMother，"spreadeverywhere，evenindistantquarters。HordesofpilgrimscamefromtheOdenwald，fromMain，fromKocherandJaxt，evenfromBavariaandSuabia，andfromtheRhine。MiraclessupposedtohavebeenperformedbythePiperwerebeingrelated;peoplefellontheirkneesbeforetheprophet，prayingtohimastoasaint;peoplefoughtforsmallstripsfromhiscapasforrelicsoramulets。Invaindidthepriestsfighthim，denouncinghisvisionsasthedevil’sdelusionsandhismiraclesashellishswindles。Butthemassofbelieversincreasedenormously。
Therevolutionarysectbegantoorganise。TheSundaysermonsoftherebelliousshepherdattractedgatheringsof40，000andmoretoNiklashausen。
ForseveralmonthsHansthePiperpreachedbeforethemasses。
Hedidnotintend，however，toconfinehimselftopreaching。HewasinsecretcommunicationwiththepriestofNiklashausenandwithtwoknights，KunzofThunfeldandhisson，whoacceptedthenewgospelandweresingledoutasthemilitaryleadersoftheplannedinsurrection。Finally，ontheSundayprecedingthedayofSt。Kilian，whentheshepherdbelievedhispowertobestrongenough，hegavethesignal。Heclosedhissermonwiththefollowingwords："Andnowgohome，andweighinyourmindwhatourHoliestMadonnahasannouncedtoyou，andonthecomingSaturdayleaveyourwivesandchildrenandoldmenathome，butyou，youmen，comebackheretoNiklashausenonthedayofSt。Margaret，whichisnextSaturday，andbringwithyouyourbrothersandfriends，asmanyastheymaybe。Donotcomewithpilgrims’staves，butcoveredwithweaponsandammunition，inonehandacandle，intheotheraswordandapikeorhalberd，andtheHolyVirginwillthenannouncetoyouwhatshewishesyoutodo。"Butbeforethepeasantscameinmasses，thehorsemenofthebishopseizedtheprophetofrebellionatnight，andbroughthimtotheCastleofWuerzburg。Ontheappointedday，34，000armedpeasantsappeared，butthenewshadadiscouragingeffectonthemass;themajoritywenthome，themoreinitiatedretainedabout16，000withwhomtheymovedtothecastleundertheleadershipofKunzofThunfeldandhissonMichael。Thebishop，bymeansofpromises，persuadedthemtogohome，butassoonastheybegantodisperse，theywereattackedbythebishop’shorsemen，andmanywereimprisoned。Twoweredecapitated，andHansthePiperwasburned。KunzofThunfeldfled，andwasallowedtoreturnonlyatthepriceofcedingallhisestatestothemonastery。PilgrimagestoNiklashausencontinuedforsometime，butwerefinallysuppressed。
Afterthisfirstattempt，Germanyremainedquietforsometime;
butattheendofthecenturyrebellionsandconspiraciesofthepeasantsstartedanew。
WeshallpassovertheDutchpeasantrevoltof1491and1492whichwassuppressedbyDukeAlbrechtofSaxonyinthebattlenearHeemskerk;
alsotherevoltofthepeasantsoftheAbbeyofKempteninUpperSuabiawhichoccurredsimultaneously，andtheFrisianrevoltunderShaardAhlva，about1497，whichwasalsosuppressedbyAlbrechtofSaxony。TheserevoltsweremostlytoofarfromthesceneoftheactualPeasantWar。Inparttheywerestrugglesofhithertofreepeasantsagainsttheattempttoforcefeudalismuponthem。WenowpasstothetwogreatconspiracieswhichpreparedthePeasantWar：theUnionShoeandthePoorKonrad。
TheriseinthepriceofcommoditieswhichhadcalledforththerevoltofthepeasantsintheNetherlands，broughtabout，in1493，inAlsace，asecretunionofpeasantsandplebeianswithasprinklingofthepurelymiddle—classoppositionparty;andacertainamountofsympathyevenamongthelowernobility。TheseatoftheunionwastheregionofSchlettstadt，Sulz，Dambach，Rossheim，Scherweiler，etc。TheconspiratorsdemandedtheplunderingandexterminationoftheJews，whoseusurythen，asnow，suckedthebloodofthepeasantsofAlsace，theintroductionofajubileeyeartocancelalldebts，theabolitionoftaxes，tonsandotherburdens，theabolitionoftheecclesiasticalandRottweil（imperial）court，therighttoratifytaxation，thereductionofthepriests’incomestoaprebendofbetweenfiftyandsixtyguilders，theabolitionoftheauricularconfession，andtheestablishmentinthecommunitiesofcourtselectedbythecommunitiesthemselves。Theconspiratorsplanned，assoonastheybecamestrongenough，tooverpowerthestrongholdofSchlettstadt，toconfiscatethetreasuriesofthemonasteriesandthecity，andfromtheretoarousethewholeofAlsace。Thebanneroftheuniontobeunfurledatthemomentofinsurrection，containedapeasant’sshoewithlongleatherstrings，theso—calledUnionShoe，whichgaveasymbolandanametothepeasantconspiraciesofthefollowingtwentyyears。
TheconspiratorsheldtheirmeetingsatnightonthelonesomeHungerberg。MembershipintheUnionwasconnectedwiththemostmysteriousceremoniesandthreatsofseverestpunishmentagainsttraitors。Nevertheless，themovementbecameknownaboutEasterWeekof1493，thetimeappointedfortheattackonSchlettstadt。Theauthoritiesimmediatelyintervened。
Manyoftheconspiratorswerearrestedandputontherack，tobequarteredordecapitated。Manywerecrippledbychoppingtheirhandsandfingers，anddrivenoutofthecountry。AlargenumberfledtoSwitzerland。TheUnionShoe，however，wasfarfrombeingannihilatedandcontinueditsexistenceinsecret。Numerousexiles，spreadoverSwitzerlandandsouthGermany，becameitsemissaries。Findingeverywherethesameoppressionandthesameinclinationtowardsrevolt，theyspreadtheUnionShoeovertheterritoryofpresent—dayBaden。ThegreatestadmirationisduethetenacityandendurancewithwhichthepeasantsofupperGermanyconspiredforthirtyyearsafter1493，withwhichtheyovercametheobstaclestoamorecentralisedOrganisationinspiteofthefactthattheywerescatteredoverthecountryside，andwithwhich，afternumberlessdispersions，defeats，executionsofleaders，theyrenewedtheirconspiraciesoverandoveragain，untilanopportunitycameforamassupheaval。
In1502，thebishopricofSpeyer，whichatthattimeembracedalsothelocalityofBruchsal，showedsignsofasecretmovementamongthepeasants。TheUnionShoehadherereorganiseditselfwithconsiderablesuccess。About7，000menbelongedtotheOrganisationwhosecentrewasUntergrombach，betweenBruchsalandWeingarten，andwhoseramificationsreacheddowntheRhinetotheMain，anduptotheMargraviateofBaden。
Itsarticlesprovided：Nogroundrent，tithe，taxortolltobepaidtotheprinces，thenobilityortheclergy;serfdomtobeabolished;monasteriesandotherchurchestatestobeconfiscatedanddividedamongthepeople，andnootherauthoritytoberecognisedasidefromtheemperor。
WefindhereforthefirsttimeexpressedamongthepeasantsthetwodemandsofsecularisingthechurchestatesinfavourofthepeopleandofaunifiedandundividedGermanmonarchy—demandswhichhenceforthwillbefoundregularlyinthemoreadvancedfactionofthepeasantsandplebeians。
InThomasMuenzer’sprogramme，thedivisionofthechurchestateswastransformedintoconfiscationinfavourofcommonproperty，andtheunifiedGermanempire，intotheunifiedandundividedrepublic。
TherenewedUnionShoehad，aswellastheold，itsownsecretmeetingplaces，itsoathofsilence，itsinitiationceremonies，anditsunionbannerwiththelegend，"NothingbutGod’sjustice。"TheplanofactionwassimilartothatoftheAlsatianUnion。Bruchsal，wherethemajorityofthepopulationbelongedtotheUnion，wastobeoverpowered。Aunionarmywastobeorganisedanddispatchedintothesurroundingprincipalitiesasmovingpointsofconcentration。
Theplanwasbetrayedbyaclergymantowhomoneoftheconspiratorsrevealeditintheconfessional。Thegovernmentsimmediatelyresortedtocounteraction。HowwidespreadtheUnionhadbecome，isapparentfromtheterrorwhichseizedthevariousimperialestatesinAlsaceandintheUnionofSuabia。Troopswereconcentrated，andmassarrestsweremade。EmperorMaximilian，"thelastoftheknights，"issuedthemostbloodthirsty，punitivedecreeagainsttheundertakingofthepeasants。Hordesofpeasantsassembledhereandthere，andarmedresistancewasoffered，buttheisolatedpeasanttroopscouldnotholdgroundforalongtime。Someoftheconspiratorswereexecutedandmanyfled，butthesecrecywassowellpreservedthatthemajority，andalsotheleaders，couldremainunmolestedintheirownlocalitiesorinthecountriesoftheneighbouringmasters。
Afterthisnewdefeat，therefollowedaprolongedperiodofapparentquietintheclassstruggles。Thework，however，wascontinuedinanundergroundway。Already，inthefirstyearsoftheSixteenthCentury，PoorKonradwasformedinSuabia，apparentlyinconnectionwiththescatteredmembersoftheUnionShoe。IntheBlackForest，theUnionShoecontinuedinisolatedcirclesuntil，tenyearslater，anenergeticpeasantleadersucceededinunitingthevariousthreadsandcombiningthemintoagreatconspiracy。
Bothconspiraciesbecamepublic，oneshortlyaftertheother，intherestlessyearsfrom1513to1515，inwhichtheSwiss，HungarianandSlovenianpeasantsmadeaseriesofsignificantinsurrections。
ThemanwhorestoredtheUpperRhenishUnionShoewasJossFritzofUntergrombach，afugitivefromtheconspiracyof1502，aformersoldier，inallrespectsanoutstandingfigure。Afterhisflight，hehadkepthimselfinvariouslocalitiesbetweentheLakeConstanceandtheBlackForest，andfinallysettledasavassalnearFreiburginBreisgau，whereheevenbecameaforester。InterestingdetailsastothemannerinwhichhereorganisedtheUnionfromthispointofvantageandastotheskillwithwhichhemanagedtoattractpeopleofdifferentcharacter，arecontainedintheinvestigations。ItwasduetothediplomatictalentandtheuntiringenduranceofthismodelconspiratorthataconsiderablenumberofpeopleofthemostdivergentclassesbecameinvolvedintheUnion：knights，priests，burghers，plebeiansandpeasants，anditisalmostcertainthatheorganisedseveralgradesoftheconspiracy，onemoreorlesssharplydividedfromtheother。
Allserviceableelementswereutilisedwiththegreatestcircumspectionandskill。Outsideoftheinitiatedemissarieswhowanderedoverthecountryinvariousdisguises，thevagrantsandbeggarswereusedforsubordinatemissions。Jossstoodindirectcommunicationwiththebeggarkings，andthroughthembeheldinhishandthenumerousvagabondpopulation。Infact，thebeggarkingsplayedaconsiderableroleinhisconspiracy。Veryoriginalfigurestheywere，thesebeggarkings。Oneroamedthecountrywithagirlusingherseeminglywoundedfeetasapretextforbegging;heworemorethaneightinsigniaonhishat——thefourteendeliverers，St。Ottilie，OurMotherinHeaven，etc。;besides，heworealongredbeard，andcarriedabigknottystickwithadaggerandpike。Another，begginginthenameofSt。Velten，offeredspicesandworm—seeds;heworealongiron—colouredcoat，aredbarret，withtheBabyofTrientattachedthereto，aswordathisside，andmanyknivesandadaggeronhisgirdle。Othershadartificialopenwounds，besidessimilarpicturesqueattire。Therewereatleasttenofthem，andforthepriceoftwothousandguilderstheyweresupposedtosetfiresimultaneouslyinAlsace，intheMargraviateofBaden，andinBreisgau，andtoputthemselves，withatleast2，000menoftheirown，underthecommandofGeorgSchneider，theformerCaptainoftheLansquenets，onthedayoftheZabernParishFairinRozen，inordertoconquerthecity。Acourierservicefromstationtostationwasestablishedbetweenrealmembersoftheunion。JossFritzandhischiefemissary，StoffelofFreiburg，continuallyridingfromplacetoplace，reviewedthearmiesoftheneophytesatnight。ThereisamplematerialinthedocumentsofthecourtinvestigationsrelativetothespreadoftheUnionintheUpperRhineandBlackForestregions。Thedocumentscontainmanynamesofmembersfromthevariouslocalitiesinthatregion，togetherwithdescriptionsofpersons。
Mostofthosementionedwerejourneymen，peasantsandinnkeepers，afewnobles，priests（likethatofLehenhimself），andunemployedLansquenets。
ThiscompositionshowsthemoredevelopedcharacterthattheUnionShoehadassumedunderJossFritz。Theplebeianelementofthecitiesbegantoassertitselfmoreandmore。TheramificationsoftheconspiracywentoverintoAlsace，present—dayBaden，uptoWuerttembergandtheMain。LargermeetingswereheldfromtimetotimeonremotemountainssuchastheKniebis，etc。，andtheaffairsoftheUnionwerediscussed。Themeetingsofthechiefs，oftenparticipatedinbylocalmembersaswellasbydelegatesofthemoreremotelocalities，tookplaceontheHartmattenearLehen，anditwasherethatthefourteenarticlesoftheUnionwereadopted：Nomasterbesidestheemperor，and（accordingtosome）thepope;abolitionoftheRottweilimperialcourt;limitationofthechurchcourttoreligiousaffairs;abolitionofallinterestwhichhadbeenpaidsolongthatitequalledthecapital;aninterestof5percentasthehighestpermissiblerate;freedomofhunting，fishing，grazing，andwoodcutting;limitationoftheprieststooneprebendforeach;confiscationofallchurchestatesandmonasterygemsinfavouroftheunion;abolitionofallinequitabletaxesandtolls;eternalpeacewithinentireChristendom，energeticactionagainstallopponentsoftheUnion;Uniontaxes;seizureofastrongcity，suchasFreiburg，toserveasthecentreoftheUnion;openingofnegotiationswiththeemperorassoonastheUnionhordesweregathered，andwithSwitzerlandincasetheemperordeclined——thesewerethepointsagreedupon。Weseethatthedemandsofthepeasantsandplebeiansassumedamoreandmoredefiniteanddecisiveform，althoughconcessionshadtobemadeinthesamemeasuretothemoremoderateandtimidelementsaswell。
TheblowwastobestruckaboutAutumn，1513。NothingwaslackingbutaUnionbanner，andJossFritzwenttoHeilbruntohaveitpainted。
Itcontained，besidesallsortsofemblemsandpictures，theUnionShoeandthelegend"Godhelpthydivinejustice。"Whilehewasaway，aprematureattemptwasmadetooverwhelmFreiburg，buttheattemptwasdiscovered。
SomeindiscretionsintheconductofthepropagandaputthecouncilofFreiburgandtheMargraveofBadenontherighttrack。Thebetrayaloftwoconspiratorscompletedtheseriesofdisclosures。PresentlytheMargrave，thecouncilofFreiburg，andtheimperialgovernmentofEnsisheimsentouttheirspiesandsoldiers。AnumberofUnionmemberswerearrested，torturedandexecuted。Butthemajorityescapedoncemore，JossFritzamongthem。TheSwissgovernmentnowpersecutedthefugitiveswithgreatassiduityandevenexecutedmanyofthem。However，itcouldnotpreventthemajorityofthefugitivesfromkeepingthemselvescontinuallyinthevicinityoftheirhomesandgraduallyreturningthere。TheAlsacegovernmentinEnsisheimwasmorecruelthantheothers。Itorderedverymanytobedecapitated，brokenonthewheel，andquartered。JossFritzkepthimselfmainlyontheSwissbankoftheRhine，buthealsowentoftentotheBlackForestwithouteverbeingapprehended。
WhytheSwissmadecommoncausewiththeneighbouringgovernmentsthistimeisapparentfromthepeasantrevoltthatbrokeoutthefollowingyear，1514，inBerne，SollothumeandLucerne，andresultedinapurgingofthearistocraticgovernmentsandtheinstitutionofpatricians。Thepeasantsalsoforcedthroughsomeprivilegesforthemselves。IftheseSwisslocalrevoltssucceeded，itwassimplyduetothefactthattherewasstilllesscentralisationinSwitzerlandthaninGermany。ThelocalGermanmasterswereallsubduedbythepeasantsof1525，andiftheysuccumbed，itwasduetotheorganisedmassarmiesoftheprinces。Theselatter，however，didnotexistinSwitzerland。
SimultaneouslywiththeUnionShoeinBaden，andapparentlyindirectconnectionwithit，asecondconspiracywasformedinWuerttemberg。
Accordingtodocuments，ithadexistedsince1503，butsincethenameUnionShoebecametoodangerousafterthedispersaloftheUntergrombachconspirators，itadoptedthenameofPoorKonrad。ItsseatwasthevalleyofRemsunderneaththemountainofHohenstaufen。Itsexistencehadbeennomysteryforalongtime，atleastamongthepeople。TheshamelesspressureofDukeUlrich’sgovernment，andtheseriesoffamineyearswhichsogreatlyaidedtheoutbreaksof1513and1514，badincreasedthenumberofconspirators。Thenewlyimposedtaxesonwine，meatandbread，aswellasacapitaltaxofonepennyyearlyforeveryguilder，causedthenewoutbreak。ThecityofSchomdorf，wheretheheadsofthecomplotusedtomeetinthehouseofacutlernamedKasparPregizer，wastobeseizedfirst。Inthespringof1514，therebellionbrokeout。Threethousand，and，accordingtoothers，fivethousandpeasantsappearedbeforethecity，andwerepersuadedbythefriendlypromisesoftheDuke’sofficerstomoveon。DukeUlrich，havingpromisedtheabolitionofthenewtax，cameridingfastwitheightyhorsemen，tofindthateverythingwasquietinconsequenceofthepromise。Hepromisedtoconveneadietwhereallcomplaintswouldbeexamined。ThechiefsoftheOrganisation，however，knewverywellthatUlrichsoughtonlytokeepthepeoplequietuntilhehadrecruitedandconcentratedenoughtroopstobeabletobreakhiswordandcollectthetaxesbyforce。TheyissuedfromKasparPregizer’shouse，"theofficeofPoorKonrad，"acalltoaUnioncongress，thiscallhavingthesupportofemissarieseverywhere。ThesuccessofthefirstuprisinginthevalleyofRemshadeverywherestrengthenedthemovementamongthepeople。Thepapersandtheemissariesfoundafavourableresponse，andsothecongressheldinUntertuerkheinonMay28，wasattendedbynumerousrepresentativesfromallpartsofWuerttemberg。ItwasdecidedimmediatelytoproceedwiththepropagandaandtostrikeadecisiveblowinthevalleyofRemsatthefirstopportunityinordertospreadtheuprisingfromthatpointineverydirection。WhileBantelshansofDettingen，aformersoldier，andSingerhansofWuertingen，aprominentpeasant，werebringingtheSuabianAlpintotheUnion，theuprisingbrokeoutoneveryside。ThoughSingerhanswassuddenlyattackedandseized，thecitiesofBacknang，Winnenden，andMarkgroenningenfellintothehandsofthepeasantscombinedwiththeplebeians，andtheentireterritoryfromWeinsbergtoBlaubeurenandfromthereuptothefrontiersofBaden，wasinopenrevolt。Ulrichwascompelledtoyield。However，whilehewascallingtheDietforJune25，hesentoutacircularlettertothesurroundingprincesandfreecities，askingforaidagainsttheuprising，which，hesaid，threatenedallprinces，authoritiesandnoblesintheempire，andwhich"strangelyresembledtheUnionShoe。"
Inthemeantime，theDiet，representingthecities，andmanydelegatesofthepeasantswhoalsodemandedseatsintheDiet，convenedonJune18
inStuttgart。
Theprelateswerenotthereasyet。Theknightshadnotbeeninvited。
TheoppositionofthecityofStuttgart，aswellastwothreateninghordesofpeasantsatLeonbergnearbyinthevalleyofRems，strengthenedthedemandsofthepeasants。Theirdelegateswereadmitted，anditwasdecidedtodeposeandpunishthreeofthehatedcouncillorsoftheDuke——Lamparter，ThumbandLorcher，toaddtotheDukeacounciloffourknights，fourburghersandfourpeasants，togranthimacivillist，andtoconfiscatethemonasteriesandtheendowmentsinfavouroftheStatetreasury。
DukeUlrichmettheserevolutionarydecisionswithacoupd’état。
OnJune21，herodewithhisknightsandcouncillorstoTuebingen，wherehewasfollowedbytheprelates。Heorderedthemiddle—classtocomethereaswell。Thiswasobeyed，andtherehecontinuedthesessionoftheDietwithoutthepeasants。Theburghers，confrontedwithmilitaryterrorism，betrayedtheirallies，thepeasants。OnJuly8，theTuebingenagreementcameintobeing，whichimposedonthecountryalmostamillionoftheDuke’sdebt，imposedontheDukesomelimitationsofpowerwhichheneverfulfilled，anddisposedofthepeasantswithafewmeagregeneralphrasesandaverydefinitepenallawagainstinsurrection。Ofcourse，nothingwasmentionedaboutpeasantrepresentationintheDiet。Theplainpeoplecried"Treason！"
buttheDuke，havingacquirednewcreditsafterhisdebtsweretakenoverbytheestates，soongatheredtroopswhilehisneighbours，particularlytheElectorPalatine，weresendingmilitaryaid。Thus，bytheendofJuly，theTuebingenagreementhadbeenacceptedalloverthecountry，andanewoathtaken。OnlyinthevalleyofRemsdidPoorKonradofferresistance。
TheDuke，whorodethereinperson，wasalmostkilled。ApeasantcampwasformedonthemountainofKoppel。Buttheaffairdraggedon，mostoftheinsurgentsrunningawayforlackoffood;latertheremainingonesalsowenthomeafterconcludinganambiguousagreementwithsomerepresentativesoftheDiet。Ulrich，whosearmyhadinthemeantimebeenstrengthenedbyvoluntarilyofferedtroopsofthecitieswhich，havingattainedtheirdemands，nowfanaticallyturnedagainstthepeasants，attackedthevalleyofRemscontrarytothetermsoftheagreement，andplundereditscitiesandvillages。
Sixteenhundredpeasantswerecaptured，sixteenofthemdecapitated，andtherestreceivingheavyfinesinfavourofUlrich’streasury。Manyremainedinprisonforalongtime。AnumberofpenallawswereissuedagainstarenewaloftheOrganisation，againstallgatheringsofpeasants，andthenobilityofSuabiaformedaspecialunionforthesuppressionofallattemptsatinsurrection。Meantime，thechiefleadersofPoorKonradhadsucceededinescapingintoSwitzerland，whencemostofthemreturnedhomesingly，afterthelapseofafewyears。
SimultaneouslywiththeWuerttembergmovement，symptomsofnewUnionShoeactivitiesbecamemanifestinBreisgauandintheMargaviateofBaden。InJune，aninsurrectionwasattemptedatBuehl，butitwasimmediatelydispersedbyMargravePhilipp——theleader，Gugel—BastianofFreiburg，havingbeenseizedandexecutedontheblock。
Inthespringofthesameyear，1514，ageneralpeasantwarbrokeoutinHungary。AcrusadeagainsttheTurkswasbeingpreached，and，asusual，freedomwaspromisedtotheserfsandbondsmenwhowouldjoinit。
About60，000congregated，andweretobeunderthecommandofGyörgyDózsa，aSzekler，whohaddistinguishedhimselfintheprecedingTurkishwarsandevenattainednobility。TheHungarianknightsandmagnates，however，lookedwithdisfavouruponthecrusadewhichthreatenedtodeprivethemoftheirpropertyandslaves。Theyhastilyfollowedtheindividualhordesofpeasants，andtookbacktheirserfsbyforceandmistreatedthem。
Whenthearmyofcrusaderslearnedaboutit，allthefuryoftheoppressedpeasantswasunleashed。Twoofthemen，enthusiasticadvocatesofthecrusade，LawrenceMészárosandBarnabas，fannedthefire，incitingthehatredofthearmyagainstthenobilitybytheirrevolutionaryspeeches。
Dózsahimselfsharedtheangerofhistroopsagainstthetreacherousnobility。Thearmyofcrusadersbecameanarmyoftherevolution，andDózsaassumedleadershipofthemovement。
HecampedwithhispeasantsintheRakosfieldnearPest。HostilitieswereopenedwithencountersbetweenthepeasantsandthepeopleofthenobilityinthesurroundingvillagesandinthesuburbsofPest。Soontherewereskirmishes，andthenfollowedSicilianVespersforallthenobilitywhofellintothehandsofthepeasants，andburningofallthecastlesinthevicinity。Thecourtthreatenedinvain。Whenthefirstactsofthepeople’sjusticetowardsthenobilityhadbeenaccomplishedunderthewallsofthecity，Dózsaproceededtofurtheroperations。Hedividedhisarmyintofivecolumns。TwoweresenttothemountainsofUpperHungaryinordertoeffectaninsurrectionandtoexterminatethenobility。Thethird，underAmbrosSzaleves，acitizenofPest，remainedontheRakostoguardthecapital。ThefourthandfifthwereledbyDózsaandhisbrotherGregoragainstSzegedin。
Inthemeantime，thenobilitygatheredinPest，andcalledtoitsaidJohannZapolya，thevoivodeofTransylvania。Thenobility，joinedbythemiddle—classofBudapest，attackedandannihilatedthearmyontheRakos，afterSzaleveswiththemiddle—classelementsofthepeasantarmyhadgoneovertotheenemy。Ahostofprisonerswereexecutedinthemostcruelfashion。Therestweresenthomeminustheirnosesandears。
DózsasuffereddefeatbeforeSzegedinandmovedtoCzanadwhichhecaptured，havingdefeatedanarmyofthenobilityunderBatoryIstvanandBishopEsakye，andhavingperpetratedbloodyrepressionsontheprisoners，amongthemtheBishopandtheroyalChancellorTeleky，fortheatrocitiescommittedontheRakos。InCzanadbeproclaimedarepublic，abolitionofthenobility，generalequalityandsovereigntyofthepeople，andthenmovedtowardTemesvar，towhichplaceBatoryhadrushedwithhisarmy。ButduringthesiegeofthisfortresswhichlastedfortwomonthsandwhilehewasbeingreinforcedbyanewarmyunderAntonHosza，histwoarmycolumnsinUpperHungarysuffereddefeatinseveralbattlesatthehandofthenobility，andJohannZapolya，withhisTransylvanianarmy，movedagainsthim。ThepeasantswereattackedbyZapolyaanddispersed。
Dózsawascaptured，roastedonaredhotthrone，andhisflesheatenbyhisownpeople，whoselivesweregrantedtothemonlyunderthiscondition。
Thedispersedpeasants，reassembledbyLawrenceandHosza，weredefeatedagain，andwhoeverfellintothehandsoftheenemieswereeitherimpaledorhanged。Thepeasants’corpseshunginthousandsalongtheroadsorattheentrancesofburned—downvillages。Accordingtoreports，about60，000
eitherfellinbattle，orweremassacred。ThenobilitytookcarethatatthenextsessionoftheDiet，theenslavementofthepeasantsshouldagainberecognisedasthelawoftheland。
ThepeasantrevoltinCarinthia，CamiolaandStyria，the"windymarshes，"whichbrokeoutatthesametime，originatedinaconspiracyakintotheUnionShoe，organisedasearlyas1503inthatregion，wrungdrybyimperialofficers，devastatedbyTurkishinvasions，andtorturedbyfamines。Itwasthisconspiracythatmadetheinsurrectionpossible。
Alreadyin1513，theSlovenianaswellastheGermanpeasantsofthisregionhadoncemoreraisedthewarbanneroftheStaraPrawa（TheOldRights）。
Theyallowedthemselvestobeplacatedthattime，andwhenin1514theygatheredanewinlargemasses，theywereagainpersuadedtogohomebyadirectpromiseoftheEmperorMaximiliantorestoretheoldrights。Still，thewarofvengeancebythedeceivedpeoplebrokeoutintheSpringof1515withmuchmorevigour。Here，asinHungary，。castlesandmonasteriesweredestroyed，capturednoblesbeingtriedandexecutedbypeasantjuries。
InStyriaandCarinthia，theemperor’scaptainDietrichsteinsoonsucceededincrushingtherevolt。InCarniola，itcouldbesuppressedonlythroughanattackfromtheRain（Autumn，1516）andthroughsubsequentAustrianatrocitieswhichformedaworthycounterparttotheinfamiesoftheHungariannobility。
Itisclearwhy，afteraseriesofsuchdecisivedefeats，andafterthesemassatrocitiesofthenobility，theGermanpeasantsremainedquiescentforalongtime。Still，neitherconspiraciesnorlocaluprisingsweretotallyabsent。Alreadyin1516mostofthefugitivesoftheUnionShoeandPoorKonradhadreturnedtoSuabiaandtotheupperRhine。In1517theUnionShoewasagaininfullswingintheBlackForest。JossFritzhimself，whostillcarriedinhisbosomtheoldUnionShoebannerof1513，traversedtheBlackForestinvariousdirections，anddevelopedgreatactivity。
Theconspiracywasbeingorganisedanew。MeetingswereagainheldontheKniebisastheyhadbeenfouryearsbefore。Secrecy，however，wasnotmaintained。
Thegovernmentslearnedthefactsandinterfered。Manywerecapturedandexecuted。Themostactiveandintelligentmemberswerecompelledtoflee，amongthemJossFritz，who，althoughstillnotcaptured，seems，however，tohavediedinSwitzerlandashorttimeafterwards。Atany，rate，hisnameisnotmentionedagain。
[Topart4]
ThePeasantWarinGermany：Chapter4FrederickEngels’
THEPEASANTWARINGERMANYCHAPTER4
UprisingoftheNobilityWhilethefourthUnionShoeOrganisationwasbeingsuppressedintheBlackForest，Luther，inWittenberg，gavethesignaltoamovementwhichwasdestinedtodrawalltheestatesintoitstorrent，andtoshakethewholeempire。ThethesesofthisAugustinianfromThuringiahadtheeffectoflightninginapowdermagazine。Themanifoldandcontradictorystrivingsoftheknightsandthemiddle—class，thepeasantsandtheplebeians，theprincescravingforsovereignty，thelowerclergy，secretlyplayingatmysticismandthelearnedwriter’soppositionofasatiricalandburlesquenature，foundinLuther’sthesesacommonexpressionaroundwhichtheygroupedthemselveswithastoundingrapidity。Thisallianceofalltheopposingelements，thoughformedovernightandofbriefduration，suddenlyrevealedtheenormouspowerofthemovement，andgaveitfurtherimpetus。
Butthisveryrapidgrowthofthemovementwasalsodestinedtodeveloptheseedsofdiscordwhichwerehiddeninit。Itwasdestinedtotearasunderatleastthoseportionsofthearousedmasswhich，bytheirverysituationinlife，weredirectlyopposedtoeachother，andtoputthemintheirnormalstateofmutualhostility。AlreadyinthefirstyearsoftheReformation，theassemblingoftheheterogeneousmassoftheoppositionaroundtwocentralpointsbecameafact。Nobilityandmiddle—classgroupedthemselvesunconditionallyaroundLuther。Peasantsandplebeians，yetfailingtoseeinLutheradirectenemy，formedaseparaterevolutionarypartyoftheopposition。Thiswasnothingnew，sincenowthemovementbadbecomemuchmoregeneral，muchbroaderinscopeanddeeperthanitwasinthepre—Luthertimes，whichnecessarilybroughtaboutasharpantagonismandanopenstrugglebetweenthetwoparties。Thisdirectoppositionsoonbecameapparent。LutherandMuenzer，fightinginthepressandinthepulpit，wereasmuchopposedtoeachotheraswerethearmiesofprinces，knightsandcities（consisting，astheydid，mainlyofLutheransorofforcesatleastinclinedtowardsLutherism），andthehordesofpeasantsandplebeiansroutedbythosearmies。
ThedivergenceofinterestsofthevariouselementsacceptingtheReformationbecameapparentevenbeforethePeasantWarintheattemptofthenobilitytorealiseitsdemandsasagainsttheprincesandtheclergy。
ThesituationoftheGermannobilityatthebeginningoftheSixteenthCenturyhasbeendepictedabove。Thenobilitywaslosingitsindependencetotheever—increasingpowerofthelayandclericalprinces。Itrealisedthatinthesamedegreeasitwasgoingdownasagroupinsociety，thepoweroftheempirewasgoingdownaswell，dissolvingitselfintoanumberofsovereignprincipalities。Thecollapseofthenobilitycoincided，initsownopinion，withthecollapseoftheGermannation。Addedtoitwasthefactthatthenobility，especiallythatsectionofitwhichwasundertheempire，byvirtueofitsmilitaryoccupationanditsattitudetowardstheprinces，directlyrepresentedtheempireandtheimperialpower。Thenobilitywasthemostnationaloftheestates，anditknewthatthestrongerweretheimperialpowerandtheunityofGermany，andtheweakerandlessnumeroustheprinces，themorepowerfulwouldthenobilitybecome。ItwasforthatreasonthattheknighthoodwasgenerallydissatisfiedwiththepitifulpoliticalsituationofGermany，withthepowerlessnessoftheempireinforeignaffairs，whichincreasedinthesamedegreeas，byinheritance，thecourtwasaddingtotheempireoneprovinceaftertheother，withtheintriguesofforeignpowersinsideofGermanyandwiththeplottingsofGermanprinceswithforeigncountriesagainstthepoweroftheempire。
Itwasforthatreason，also，thatthedemandsofthenobilityinstantlyassumedtheformofademandforthereformoftheempire，thevictimsofwhichweretobetheprincesandthehigherclergy。UlrichofHutten，thetheoreticianoftheGermannobility，undertooktoformulatethisdemandincombinationwithFranzvonSickingen，itsmilitaryanddiplomaticrepresentative。
ThereformoftheempireasdemandedbythenobilitywasconceivedbyHutteninaveryradicalspiritandexpressedveryclearly。Huttendemandednothingelsethantheeliminationofallprinces，thesecularisationofallchurchprincipalitiesandestates，andtherestorationofademocracyofthenobilityheadedbyamonarchy——aformofgovernmentreminiscentoftheheydayofthelatePolishrepublic。HuttenandSickingenbelievedthattheempirewouldagainbecomeunited，freeandpowerful，shouldtheruleofthenobility，apredominantlymilitaryclass，bereestablished，theprinces，theelementsofdisintegration，removed，thepowerofthepriestsannihilated，andGermanytomawayfromunderthedominanceoftheRomanChurch。
Foundedonserfdomthisdemocracyofthenobility，theprototypeofwhichcouldbefoundinPolandand，intheempiresconqueredbytheGermanictribes，atleastintheirfirstcenturies，isoneofthemostprimitiveformsofsociety，anditsnormalcourseofdevelopmentistobecomeanextensivefeudalhierarchy，whichwasaconsiderableadvance。
SuchapowerfuldemocracyofthenobilityhadalreadybecomeanimpossibilityinGermanyoftheSixteenthCentury，firstofallbecausethereexistedatthattimeimportantandpowerfulGermancitiesandtherewasnoprospectofanalliancebetweennobilityandthecitiessuchasbroughtaboutinEnglandthetransformationofthefeudalorderintoabourgeoisconstitutionalmonarchy。InGermany，theoldnobilitysurvived，whileinEnglanditwasexterminatedbytheWarsoftheRoses，onlytwenty—eightfamiliesremaining，andwassupersededbyanewnobilityofmiddle—classderivationandmiddle—classtendencies。InGermany，serfdomwasstillthecommonpractice，thenobilitydrawingitsincomefromfeudalsources，whileinEnglandserfdomhadbeenvirtuallyeliminated，andthenobilityhadbecomeplainmiddle—classlandowners，withamiddle—classsourceofincome——thegroundrent。
Finally，thatcentralisationofabsolutemonarchialpowerwhichinFrancehadexistedandkeptgrowingsinceLouisXIduetotheclashofinterestsbetweennobilityandmiddle—class，wasimpossibleinGermanywhereconditionsfornationalcentralisationexistedinaveryrudimentaryform，ifatall。
Undertheseconditions，thegreaterwasHutten’sdeterminationtocarryouthisidealsinpractice，themoreconcessionswashecompelledtomake，andthemorecloudeddidhisplanofreformingtheempirebecome。
Nobility，alone，lackedpowertoputthereformthrough。Thiswasmanifestfromitsweaknessincomparisonwiththeprinces。Alliesweretobelookedfor，andthesecouldonlybefoundeitherinthecities，oramongthepeasantryandtheinfluentialadvocatesofreform。Butthecitiesknewthenobilitytoowelltotrustthem，andtheyrejectedallformsofalliance。Thepeasantsjustlysawinthenobility，whichexploitedandmistreatedthem，theirbitterestenemy，andastothetheoreticiansofreform，theymadecommoncausewiththemiddle—class，theprinces，orthepeasants。Whatadvantages，indeed，couldthenobilitypromisethemiddle—classorthepeasantsfromareformoftheempirewhosemaintaskitwastoliftthenobilityintoahigherposition？UnderthesecircumstancesHuttencouldonlybesilentinhispropagandawritingsaboutthefutureinterrelationsbetweenthenobility，thecitiesandthepeasants，ortomentionthemonlybriefly，puttingallevilsatthefeetoftheprinces，thepriests，andthedependenceuponRome，andshowingthemiddle—classthatitwasintheirintereststoremainatleastneutralinthecomingstrugglebetweenthenobilityandtheprinces。NomentionwasevermadebyHuttenofabolishingserfdomorotherburdensimposeduponthepeasantsbythenobility。
TheattitudeoftheGermannobilitytowardsthepeasantsofthattimewasexactlythesameasthatofthePolishnobilitytowardsitspeasantsintheinsurrectionssince1830。AsinthemodernPolishupheavals，themovementcouldhavebeenbroughttoasuccessfulconclusiononlybyanallianceofalltheoppositionparties，mainlythenobilityandthepeasants。
Butofallalliances，thisonewasentirelyimpossibleoneitherside。
Thenobilitywasnotreadytogiveupitspoliticalprivilegesanditsfeudalrightsoverthepeasants，whiletherevolutionarypeasantscouldnotbedrawnbyvagueprospectsintoanalliancewiththenobility，theclasswhichwasmostactiveintheiroppression。ThenobilitycouldnotwinovertheGermanpeasantin1522，asitfailedinPolandin1830。Onlytotalabolitionofserfdom，bondageandallprivilegesofnobilitycouldhaveunitedtheruralpopulationwithit。Thenobility，likeeveryprivilegedclass，hadnot，however，theslightestdesiretogiveupitsprivileges，itsfavourablesituation，andthemajorpartsofitssourcesofincome。
Thusitcameaboutthatwhenthestrugglebrokeout，thenobleswerealoneinthefieldagainsttheprinces。Itwasobviousthattheprinces，who，fortwocenturieshadbeentakingthegroundfromunderthenobility’sfeet，wouldthistimealsogainavictorywithoutmucheffort。
Thecourseofthestruggleitselfiswellknown。HuttenandSickingen，alreadyrecognisedasthepoliticalandmilitarychiefsofthemiddleGermannobility，organisedinLandau，in1522，aunionoftheRhenish，SuabianandFranconiannobilityforthedurationofsixyears，ostensiblyforself—defense。
Sickingenassembledanarmy，partlyoutofhisownmeansandpartlyincombinationwiththeneighbouringknights。HeorganisedtherecruitingofarmiesandreinforcementsinFranconia，alongtheLowerRhine，intheNetherlandsandinWestphalia，andinSeptember，1522，heopenedhostilitiesbydeclaringafeudagainsttheElector—ArchbishopofTrier。WhilehewasstationednearTrier，hisreinforcementswerecutoffbyaquickinterventionoftheprinces。TheLandgraveofHesseandtheElectorPalatinewenttotheaidoftheArchbishopofTrier，andSickingenwashastilycompelledtoretreattohiscastle，Landstuhl。InspiteofalltheeffortsofHuttenandtheremainderofhisfriends，theunitednobility，intimidatedbytheconcentratedandquickactionoftheprinces，lefthiminthelurch。Sickingenwasmortallywounded，surrenderedLandstuhl，andsoonafterwardshedied。