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Franz von Sickingen

Type Figure Region Rhineland Time 1481–1523 Also known as Sickingen

Franz von Sickingen (1481–1523), a Rhenish Imperial Knight and mercenary captain who amassed estates through private warfare, sheltered humanists and…

Timeline

  1. 1513–1519Ebernburg · Rhineland-PalatinateSickingen was born at Ebernburg as a free Imperial Knight. He amassed wealth and castles through private warfare against Worms (1513) and Metz (1518), and in 1518 led Swabian League forces against Duke Ulrich of Württemberg. After the death of Maximilian I, he used his military force and influence to support Charles V's election as emperor.
  2. 1519–1522Ebernburg · Rhineland-PalatinateSickingen offered Luther armed protection if needed and sheltered humanists and reformers such as Hutten and Butzer. Hutten called his castle the 'Inn of Righteousness.' He himself read Luther's German writings and leaned toward the Reformation, but was more concerned with the interests of the knightly estate and the secularization of church lands.
  3. 1522–1523Nanstein · PalatinateIn August 1522 Sickingen declared war on Archbishop Richard von Greiffenklau of Trier, besieging the city unsuccessfully from September 8 to 14. Charles V promptly pronounced the imperial ban against him. In spring 1523, a combined force of Trier, the Palatinate, and Hesse bombarded Nanstein; he was gravely wounded on May 2, surrendered on the 7th, and died, ending the Knight's Revolt.

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