Lyndal Roper's 'Summer of Fire and Blood' examines the German Peasants' War, highlighting its roots in discontent with feudal oppression. The conflict ignited in 1524 when a simple demand for snail shells from the Countess of Lupfen sparked outrage among peasants. Grievances included excessive taxes and resource restrictions, compounded by a new sense of empowerment from Martin Luther's Reformation. As the socio-economic structure shifted, discontent festered, ultimately leading to the largest peasant uprising before the French Revolution, showcasing the intersection of religious and social change during this tumultuous period.
In 1524, in the small town of Stuhlingen, the Countess of Lupfen demanded that her peasants gather snail shells, a burden deemed too much for the laborers.
What made the revolts of the 1520s different was that the peasants were freshly emboldened by the early shocks of the Reformation and Martin Luther's writings.
Luther's work suggested to serfs that the lords' ownership of their bodies was a theological travesty, empowering them to challenge the status quo.
The peasant's grievances included onerous taxes, restrictions on resources, and the lack of responsiveness from the increasingly wealthy lords who offered little in return.
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