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From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

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Several battles were fought, <strong>to</strong>wns and<br />

fortresses were besieged; <strong>the</strong> peasantry contended<br />

with a furious bravery, knowing that <strong>the</strong>y must<br />

conquer or endure a terrible revenge; but <strong>the</strong> arms<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> princes triumphed. The campaign <strong>of</strong> this<br />

summer sufficed <strong>to</strong> suppress this formidable<br />

insurrection; but a terrible retaliation did <strong>the</strong> vic<strong>to</strong>rs<br />

inflict upon <strong>the</strong> fanaticised hordes. They<br />

slaughtered <strong>the</strong>m by tens <strong>of</strong> thousands on <strong>the</strong><br />

battle-field; <strong>the</strong>y cut <strong>the</strong>m down as <strong>the</strong>y fled; and<br />

not unfrequently did <strong>the</strong>y dispatch in cold blood<br />

those who had surrendered on promise <strong>of</strong> pardon.<br />

The lowest estimate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> number that perished is<br />

50,000, o<strong>the</strong>r accounts raise it <strong>to</strong> 100,000. When<br />

we consider <strong>the</strong> wide area over which <strong>the</strong><br />

insurrection extended, and <strong>the</strong> carnage with which<br />

it was suppressed, we shall probably be <strong>of</strong> opinion<br />

that <strong>the</strong> latter estimate is nearer <strong>the</strong> truth.<br />

A memorable vengeance was inflicted on<br />

Weinsberg, <strong>the</strong> scene <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> Count<br />

Helfenstein. His murderers were apprehended and<br />

executed. The death <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m was singularly<br />

tragic. He was tied <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> stake with a chain, that<br />

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