Notwendige warhaffte verantwortung, bestendige ablehnunge vnd wiederlegung der vngegründten bezichtigung vnd auflagen, damit der Durchlauchtigst Hochgeborne Fürst vnd Herr, Herr Augustus Hertzog zu Sachsen, Churfürst &c. vnd Burggraff zu Magdeburgk, von Hertzog Iohans Friedrichen von Sachssen, als der erklerten Echter, Wilhelmen von Grumbachs, vnd seiner anhenger, Auch offentlicher Landfriedbrecher vnd Straffenreuber Receptatorn vn[d] Schützern, in der Antwort, welche er den 12. tag Iulij nechstuorschienen, des Reichs Gesandten vffm Schlos Grimmenstein zu Gotha gegeben...

N.p.: s.n., 1567. Hardcover. Good+. 4to (190 x 140mm). Signatures: A(6), B-L(4), M(2), a-p(4) (lacking the blanks M2 and p4). Old German type. Title with inscriptions in German and dated 1577. Colophon, “Undertheniger Gehorsamer Raht und Diener Wilhelm von Grumbach.” 18th century paneled calf; (title a bit browned with a tear in the gutter margin, marginal staining to a few leaves, overall toning or spots, but in all a decent copy of a rather rare work). This is an anonymously printed refutation of Wilhelm von Grumbach’s undignified execution in 1567, the same year of this publication. A rare and good copy of this important sixteenth century German work which was quickly published to record comparative perspectives, announcements, and replies of surviving members involved with the “Grumbach Feud.” Wilhelm von Grumbach, a Franconian knight and aristocrat, was unceremoniously dismembered in the marketplace of Gotha after a famous last stand against ecclesiastical princes. The Treaty of Leipzig in 1485 had confused and erased family lines of the Electorate of Saxony leading to a series of warlike encounters. In 1563, the “Ritter” Grumbach and his cousin Johann Friedrich II of Saxony attacked, seized, and plundered the city of Würzburg. Grumbach was subsequently exiled and lived in obscurity until 1566 when he resurfaced to concoct an assassination plot against Elector Augustus of Saxony. This consisted of an elaborate scheme to liberate the entirety of German nobility from the territorial prince’s rule. Ultimately, Grumbach was betrayed by his allies (save Johann Friedrich who entered Imperial captivity in Austria) and his castle dwellings in Gotha were razed and ruined; he was turned over for execution in April 1567. The pinnacle torture and execution event was such a success for the Duke Augustus that he had a coin minted to commemorate his triumph against “imperial enemies.” This published refutation showcases the power of immediate press and new media in sixteenth century Germany. Grumbach himself was known to have relied on the distribution of illustrated leaflets and pamphlets to further his cause. This published work remains a characteristic propaganda piece which helped pave the way to the modern state.

This is an anonymously printed refutation of Wilhelm von Grumbach’s undignified execution in 1567, the same year of this publication. A rare and good copy of this important sixteenth century German work which was quickly published to record comparative perspectives, announcements, and replies of surviving members involved with the “Grumbach Feud.” Wilhelm von Grumbach, a Franconian knight and aristocrat, was unceremoniously dismembered in the marketplace of Gotha after a famous last stand against ecclesiastical princes. The Treaty of Leipzig in 1485 had confused and erased family lines of the Electorate of Saxony leading to a series of warlike encounters. In 1563, the “Ritter” Grumbach and his cousin Johann Friedrich II of Saxony attacked, seized, and plundered the city of Würzburg. Grumbach was subsequently exiled and lived in obscurity until 1566 when he resurfaced to concoct an assassination plot against Elector Augustus of Saxony. This consisted of an elaborate scheme to liberate the entirety of German nobility from the territorial prince’s rule. Ultimately, Grumbach was betrayed by his allies (save Johann Friedrich who entered Imperial captivity in Austria) and his castle dwellings in Gotha were razed and ruined; he was turned over for execution in April 1567. The pinnacle torture and execution event was such a success for the Duke Augustus that he had a coin minted to commemorate his triumph against “imperial enemies.” This published refutation showcases the power of immediate press and new media in sixteenth century Germany. Grumbach himself was known to have relied on the distribution of illustrated leaflets and pamphlets to further his cause. This published work remains a characteristic propaganda piece which helped pave the way to the modern state.