between 2,000 and 15,000) were remarkably well organised, some under noble
leadership (such as Götz von Berlichingen). They won initial successes in south-
west Germany, partly due to overreaction, fear, and rapid capitulation on the part
of some authorities, and partly due to the fact that the army of the Swabian circle
of princes happened to be away in Italy, fighting with Emperor Charles V against
Francis I of France. After a decisive victory for Charles V in this quite
unconnected conflict, the princes returned to quell peasant unrest. Superior
organisation, and the capacity for links across localities, aided the princes’
suppression of peasant uprisings. In all, around 100,000 peasants were killed,
and many more maimed and blinded.
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