DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62134#0075
THE SENDLING BATTLE.
67
but this in the encl only led to the betrayal of the peasants.
On they marched victoriously towards Munich, whither
the Imperial General Kreichbaum had been despatched
with reinforcements.
The Vorstadt-Au was already in full insurrection. The
giant mountaineer, the Smith Baltes or Sibaldus of
Kochel, with his two sons, led on the excited people with
the cry of “ Save the children !” a rumour being afloat
that the young Bavarian princes were to be carried out of
the land. One of the city gates was forced, Sibaldus with
his “Morgen-stern” slaying an Austrian sentinel; and a
bloody and fierce conflict ensued.
The peasants, relying upon aid from the nobles within
the city who had joined their side, fought long and bravely,
but no succour reached their little band : fighting on foot,
and between the fire of the Austrians from the city and of
General Kreichbaum in their rear, they fled towards the
village of Sendling, where, rallying round- the little church,
these peasants fought like lions; old Sibaldus and his
sons falling among the slain. It is said that five hundred
perished. The wounded were carried back to Munich,
and exposed in the streets during the rigour of the Christ-
mas night. The battle was fought upon Christmas Day.
Misery fell, of course, with only ten-fold bitterness upon
the peasantry; beheadings, drawings and quarterings, muti-
lations, grievous fines and imprisonments, being the sole
wages received by the survivors of the conflict.
Historians tell us that “ the ringleaders were beheaded •”
but the popular voice relates a termination to Plinganser’s
history which rings in one’s heart like a lovely ballad of
Uhland.
Long years after this battle fought upon the Christmas
Day around the church, the Bavarian Elector was hunting
in a wood at some distance from Munich : he encountered
67
but this in the encl only led to the betrayal of the peasants.
On they marched victoriously towards Munich, whither
the Imperial General Kreichbaum had been despatched
with reinforcements.
The Vorstadt-Au was already in full insurrection. The
giant mountaineer, the Smith Baltes or Sibaldus of
Kochel, with his two sons, led on the excited people with
the cry of “ Save the children !” a rumour being afloat
that the young Bavarian princes were to be carried out of
the land. One of the city gates was forced, Sibaldus with
his “Morgen-stern” slaying an Austrian sentinel; and a
bloody and fierce conflict ensued.
The peasants, relying upon aid from the nobles within
the city who had joined their side, fought long and bravely,
but no succour reached their little band : fighting on foot,
and between the fire of the Austrians from the city and of
General Kreichbaum in their rear, they fled towards the
village of Sendling, where, rallying round- the little church,
these peasants fought like lions; old Sibaldus and his
sons falling among the slain. It is said that five hundred
perished. The wounded were carried back to Munich,
and exposed in the streets during the rigour of the Christ-
mas night. The battle was fought upon Christmas Day.
Misery fell, of course, with only ten-fold bitterness upon
the peasantry; beheadings, drawings and quarterings, muti-
lations, grievous fines and imprisonments, being the sole
wages received by the survivors of the conflict.
Historians tell us that “ the ringleaders were beheaded •”
but the popular voice relates a termination to Plinganser’s
history which rings in one’s heart like a lovely ballad of
Uhland.
Long years after this battle fought upon the Christmas
Day around the church, the Bavarian Elector was hunting
in a wood at some distance from Munich : he encountered