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David Shaw's avatar

I'm adding these Anabaptists to my list of mind virus cultural hysteria. He must have been something to convince 16 women to marry him. Great find, Paul.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Thanks David, I have n idea how he managed to cope with 16 wives!

Diane Burley's avatar

Oh that’s another story, I am certain!

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Not much has changed over the centuries has it?

Lisa Maguire's avatar

They weren't convinced. They were beheaded if they didn't obey. He had guys going door to door looking for girls and forcing them to "marry" members of his regime.

I think the rest of the town was held captive to these 16th century ISIS chucklef*cks.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Absolutely Diane 😊

Gunnar Miller's avatar

Radical religious movements tend to end badly. The best example was a nineteenth-century American "end times" one that has a name that garners win, place, and show for the most apt monicker ever https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Disappointment . No relation!

Elena E. Raklev's avatar

Fascinating, never heard this story before.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Nor had I before we visited

Lisa Maguire's avatar

Gruesome end to some nasty people. I had no idea these cages were still there!

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Nor did I until we visited. Once I saw them I had to discover the story behind them

Althadie Holm's avatar

Great story Paul. Not only did you tell about the cages I’d nerve heard of, but you covered the cult crowd mentality that seems to reoccur throughout history. I so enjoyed this post.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Thank you so much Mary I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊

Diane Burley's avatar

That is such a great illustration. The cages on a clock tower. A focal point for the city. Stop your nonsense or end up like these three. Arresting to say the least

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Maybe we need to bring them back for today’s criminals 🤔

Diane Burley's avatar

Or naughty heads of state

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Even better! I like your thinking!!

Diane Burley's avatar

They’d be mighty crowded

Emma - Journeys into Genealogy's avatar

I read this twice Paul. An amazing story and thanks for sharing it. So many times we walk around with tunnel vision and don't see what sometimes is less obvious.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

I couldn’t agree more Emma. Somebody once told me, when you visit a city, always look up, not down. Most of the most hidden discoveries are like this one, hidden away from plain sight.

Neera Mahajan's avatar

Amazing story. I am travelling through Europe and coming across many such stories. Stories of atrocities and hope and suppression and unusual heroism. It is worth sharing them here for the new generations to know and learn from them. Thanks for sharing this one.

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

You’re very welcome Neera. You don’t know what you don’t know until you start to explore the world and visit different historic places. I had n idea about this story until I visited.

Bethany's avatar

Oh my goodness! So incredible. I appreciate how you noticed the things right in front of you and follow your curiosity. It’s such a good way to learn about the world. I do this often as well. You would have made a wonderful teacher. There is SO much history everywhere we go. And I want to know all of it!

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Thank you so much Bethany for your kind words, I really appreciate that. One of my old friends always told me that when you’re out and about always look up, not down and appreciate the architecture! Funny you should say that, but in my working life I spent a large numbers. of years training apprentices and I have always been actively involved with sports and currently run a walking football team and coach up to 60 players a week!

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Paul Chiddicks's avatar

Both parts offer different stories and tell their own story. It’s a beautiful church but hides a dark secret