|
 Map
of
the Armleder pogroms 1336-1339
|
<ARMLEDER, medieval German lawless bands, so-called
after the leather arm piece worn by the peasantry
instead of the metal armor worn by knights; this
served as a class label to denote the peasantry in
particular during popular disturbances. The
Armleder became
identified with a gang of
Judenschlaeger (Jew-killers
[Jew-beaters]) who ranged Franconia and Alsace from
1336 to 1339. They were motivated by the feelings of
hatred in which the Jews were held and the social
tensions thus stimulated in Christian society in the
first half of the 14th century.
[1936: Armleder
Jew-beaters bands in Franconia - 1937:
Zimberlin-Umbehoven gang pogroms and "king
Armleder"]
The preliminary band of
Judenschlaeger was led through
Franconia in 1336
by
a nobleman claiming that an angel had called
upon him to kill the Jews. The following year a
tavernkeeper,
John
Zimberlin, claimed to be a prophet called
upon to avenge Christ. He was assisted by a nobleman,
Umbehoven of
Dorlisheim. Zimberlin gathered together a
gang of peasants armed with pitchforks and
distinguished by leather armbands, and assumed the
title
Kunig (king) Armleder.
[Pogroms and
massacres in Alsace - the bishop of Strasbourg is
confiscating Jewish possessions - Bavarian king Ludwig is taking a
fine]
The marauders overran Upper Alsace, and ravaged 120
communities; in many cities the populace handed over
the Jewish residents. The Jews of Rouffach, Ensisheim,
and Muelhausen (*Mulhouse) were massacred, their
belongings in the two first cities were (col. 483)
confiscated by the
bishop
of Strasbourg, while the emperor
Ludwig of Bavaria
lent his tacit support to the crime by exonerating the
city of Muelhausen from guilt in return for an
indemnity of 1,000 pounds. The assault was repeated in
Ribeauville, where it is said that about 1,500 Jews
perished.
[Siege of Colmar:
Resistance of the population - "King Armleder" has
to flee - king Ludwig takes money for leaving the
Jews alive]
During the prolonged siege of *Colmar the leading
citizens refused to surrender the Jewish inhabitants,
and on the arrival of imperial troops there "King
Armleder" fled to France; Ludwig thereupon ceded the
Jews to the city for 4,000 pounds, thus leaving them
to the mercy of the populace.
After Ludwig's departure Zimberlin returned to Alsace
and continued his depredations. Before long, however,
the
Armleder
began to menace the general peace and security, not
confining their attacks to the Jewish population.
[17 May 1338: End of
the pogroms - 28 Aug 1339: 10 year armistice -
Landfrieden]
On May 17, 1338, the bishop of Strasbourg made an
agreement with several lords and 12 cities to end the
raids and protect the Jews. On Aug. 28, 1339, a
ten-year armistice was concluded with Zimberlin, who
promised to refrain from further attacks.
Additional Landfrieden ("alliances") were concluded to
combat brigandage against both Jews and Christians in
the Rhine valley. The attacks persisted in certain
districts of Alsace. The
Armleder massacres were a prelude to
the slaughter of the Jewish population during the
*Black Death.
