The Fettmilch Uprising took place in Frankfurt on the 22nd of August, 1614, a plundering of Frankfurt’s Jewish quarter, the Judengasse. It was the inspiration for Called to Account, the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures.
The Fettmilch Uprising, also known as the Fettmilch Rebellion, was a significant social and political upheaval that took place in the Free City of Frankfurt am Main in the Holy Roman Empire between 1612 and 1616. This event is emblematic of the complex interplay of religious, economic, and political tensions that characterised early modern Europe.
At the heart of the uprising was Vincenz Fettmilch, a grocer and gingerbread baker by trade, who emerged as a leader among the discontented guild members and citizens of Frankfurt. The rebellion was primarily driven by grievances over economic hardships, political corruption, and anti-Semitic sentiments, which were exacerbated by the broader context of religious strife and economic instability in the region.
The roots of the Fettmilch Uprising can be traced back to the economic conditions of Frankfurt in the early 17th century. The city, a significant commercial hub, was grappling with economic downturns, which affected the livelihoods of its artisan and merchant classes. Many guild members felt marginalised by the patrician elite, who dominated the city council and controlled key aspects of economic life. This frustration with economic inequality and political exclusion created fertile ground for dissent.
Fettmilch and his followers demanded reforms aimed at reducing the power of the patrician elite and increasing the influence of the guilds in municipal governance. Their demands included greater transparency in the city’s financial affairs and more equitable taxation policies. However, these economic and political grievances were intertwined with virulent anti-Semitic rhetoric, as the Jewish community of Frankfurt was scapegoated for the city’s economic woes.
The uprising reached its zenith in August 1614 when Fettmilch led a violent assault on the Judengasse, the Jewish quarter of Frankfurt. The mob looted homes, destroyed property, and expelled approximately 1,380 Jews from the city. This brutal attack was accompanied by demands for the abolition of debts owed to Jewish moneylenders, reflecting both economic desperation and deep-seated prejudice.
The response from the Holy Roman Emperor, Matthias, was swift and decisive. The Emperor viewed the rebellion as a challenge not only to the local authorities of Frankfurt but also to imperial authority itself. Imperial forces intervened, restoring order and arresting the rebellion’s leaders. Vincenz Fettmilch and several of his key associates were tried and executed for their roles in the uprising.
Following the suppression of the rebellion, the expelled Jewish community was invited back to Frankfurt under the protection of the Emperor. In a symbolic act designed to reaffirm their rights and status, the Jewish community re-entered the city through the “Gate of the Jews” under imperial guard. This event was commemorated annually by Frankfurt’s Jewish community as the “Purim Vinz,” named after Fettmilch (Vinz being a diminutive form of Vincenz), celebrating their survival and return.
The Fettmilch Uprising holds historical significance for several reasons. It underscores the volatile mix of economic distress, social inequality, and religious intolerance that could ignite urban revolts in early modern Europe. The uprising also illustrates how anti-Semitic sentiments were often manipulated by populist leaders to galvanise support and divert attention from broader systemic issues.
Furthermore, the imperial response to the rebellion highlighted the delicate balance of power within the Holy Roman Empire. While cities like Frankfurt enjoyed a degree of autonomy, the Emperor’s intervention demonstrated the overarching authority of the imperial system, especially when local governance appeared to collapse into chaos.
In the broader historical context, the Fettmilch Uprising prefigures other instances of urban unrest and anti-Semitic violence that would occur throughout Europe in the following centuries. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of demagoguery and scapegoating, particularly during times of economic and social crisis.
Today, the events of the Fettmilch Uprising are studied not only for their historical impact on Frankfurt and the Holy Roman Empire but also for the lessons they offer about the dynamics of prejudice, power, and resistance. Memorials and historical accounts ensure that this dark chapter is remembered, fostering reflection on the importance of tolerance, social justice, and the rule of law.