Thomas Muntzer

In 1523, the young Thomas Muntzer arrived in the Thuringian village of Allstedt with his wife, Ottilie, to assume the rectorate. As a follower of Luther's teachings, he finds in the Bible not only reasons for clerical, but also for secular reforms. But when Luther turns away from the rural population after a discord with Muntzer, it is Muntzer who becomes the people's spokesman. He is forced to travel to Southern Germany, where he meets with rebellious farmers. But his way leads him back to Thuringia. In 1525, he and Heinrich Pfeiffer formed the centre of the Thuringian peasant uprising in Muhlhausen, but their success was diminished by the fact that peasants and craftsmen didn't seem to be able to work together. In Frankenhausen, Muntzer becomes the leader of a peasants' army that is set to fight the ruler's army and sustains a devastating loss. Muntzer is arrested and sentenced to death by decapitation for his insurgency.