Bekentnusz Thomas Mu[n]tzers etwa Pfarner zu Alsted, vnd ytzt yn dem auffrürische[n] Hauffen zu Francke[n]hausen befunden : geschehe[n] yn der gute Dingstags nach Cantate. 1525. Eyn Sendbrieff Thomas Müntzers

Summary: A printing of Thomas Müntzer's confession obtained under torture following his capture at the Battle of Frankenhausen in May 1525. Müntzer, the "murderous and bloodthirsty prophet" and the most significant figure in the second, crucial phase of the Peasants' War, one of the bloodiest chapters in the turbulent early history of the German Reformation, which left over 100,000 dead. In this confession Müntzer names many of his co-conspirators, and admits that his plans included beheading Count Ernest von Mansfeld, and seizing the wealth and lands of the aristocracy. This book also includes Müntzer's final letter begging that his wife avoid punishment and inherit his property, and that his followers "flee the shedding of blood".Signatures: A⁴ (A4 verso blank).Illustrative and Decorative content: Title within woodcut border (J. Luther, Titeleinfassungen 69) showing a grape arbor populated by a monkey, a stork, and armed putti, first used in 1523 by the printer Michael Buchführer (with his initials.)Additional details: Marginal annotations in an early hand.