Peasant Fires: The Drummer Of Niklashausen

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Recommended: Essays on pilgrimage

Peasant Fires: The Drummer of Niklashausen is a historical nonfiction novel that describes the struggle of social equality during 15th century in Europe. Published in 1992 by Colorado University professor, Richard Wunderli, Peasant Fires describes the struggle of the poverty-stricken peasants in Europe through the story of an illiterate peasant named Hans Behem who was known for leading a pilgrimage in a small village known as Niklashausen.
The struggle for social equality has been a constant battle throughout history and is the center theme of Peasant Fires: The Drummer of Niklashausen. The story of Hans is used by Wunderli to give insight and capture the readers’ attention towards the historical background and economic and social status of 15th century Europe and how it affected the peasant community. It is expressed throughout the novel that little is known pertaining the story of Hans, but Wunderli uses the little evidence available to inform the readers on the abuse of power by church authorities and how the unfair treatment shown unto the peasant community often resulted in uprisings and increased the struggle for social equality. …show more content…

After ridding himself of his own vanities, he began preaching sermons about God’s anger with not only the commoners but the clergy as well. He preached on the sins of the church authorities and in time, called for their death. Pilgrims from all joined the pilgrimage at Niklashausen, wanting to experience the rumored miracles and witness the peasant sermons themselves. After being alerted of a peasant boy preaching sermons against the clergy, church authorities pushed to put a stop to the treacherous threat. In the end, Hans was executed and with his death went the pilgrims’ hope for

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