The Siege of Rogätz
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| Geographic Coordinates: 52° 18' 41.26" N, 11° 45' 49.26" E |
The well-known Rogätz Castle was once part of the Altmark. During the Thirty Years’ War, this castle was heavily fortified, and a strange incident occurred in this period. For at one point, there was an Imperial occupation force inside the castle, which was pressured and besieged by the Count of Mansfeld for a long time. But the Count could not harm the defenders and was unable to take the castle. During all assaults, many of his people were slain, while almost no one of the defenders fell.
Then, finally, the Danish General Fuchs came to the aid of the Count. Fuchs soon realized what the truth of the matter was. There was a priest among the people in the castle who had warded all the soldiers within. In this manner, they could not be injured by either iron or lead. When the General realized this, he had large, heavy wooden axes made for his people. He then ordered a new assault on the castle and had his men beat down on the defenders. Now, all of them were slain, for the priest had not warded them against wood. Thus, the General conquered the castle.
From Rittner’s “Altmärk. Geschichtsbuch” in Küster’s “antiq. Tangerm.” II. 31.