Wilhelm Lautenschlager 1565 - 1632
My 10th Great Grandfather
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| The Theives' Tower Michelstadt, Erbach, Hesse, Germany The Theives' Tower was built around 950 AD. It served as a prison from about 1312 onwards Michelstadt Tourism - Diebsturm - Stadt Michelstadt |
A Legacy of Healing and Lore
Wilhelm was not a "wizard" in the sense of fairy tales, but a
man of profound natural intellect. He inherited his "Big Decision” the
choice to dedicate his life to the healing arts—from his mother, a midwife
whose skill with herbs was so renowned the nobility consulted her.
Armed with a precious herbal book, knowledge gleaned from Romani
travelers, and a deep understanding of the forest, Wilhelm’s practice
flourished. On some days, more than 20 people would queue at his door. He was a
master of the local flora:
- Bear’s breeches for "dead
blood" in children.
- Elderflower
(Hollerstock) and "fire stones" for agonizing joint pain.
- Hyssop and
walnut leaves for internal ailments.
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| Bear's breeches Elderflower Hyssop |
However, Wilhelm’s success was tethered to a risky performance. To
satisfy a superstitious public, he didn't just provide tea; he analyzed the
souls of the sick by peering through his eyeglasses at their shirts,
"speaking" to the garments as if the patient were present.
The Conflict Ignites
As Wilhelm’s fame grew, so did the tension. He was not just a doctor; he
was a finder of lost goods and a namer of thieves. This "Big
Decision" to involve himself in communal disputes led to a violent fray
with a man known as the "Old Egg-Buyer," leaving the man bedridden
for months.
For the local priest, this was the final straw. Wilhelm was branded a
quack and a servant of the devil. The authorities of the Odenwald—a region
generally spared the worst of the era's witch-burnings—could no longer look
away. Wilhelm was arrested and hauled to the Michelstadt Tower.
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| Michelstadt, Erbach, Hesse, Germany |
The Trial and the Final Vow
Inside the cold stone walls of the prison, Wilhelm faced three judges.
This was his ultimate "Big Decision": Hold his ground as a man of power
or humble himself to survive.
During the interrogation, the judges tested his "supernatural"
skills by presenting him with clothing from sick strangers. When his diagnoses
failed to hit the mark under the pressure of the court, Wilhelm realized the
gravity of his situation. In an era where "idolatry" often led to the
stake, Wilhelm chose the path of strategic repentance.
The resulting judgment was surprisingly lenient testament to his genuine
popularity or the baronial family's lingering respect for his mother’s work.
Instead of the gallows, Wilhelm was sentenced to:
1. Public Church
Penance: A special Sunday sermon where he was the subject of the lesson.
2. A Written Apology: A formal confession
where he admitted to being "misled by fraudulent gypsies" and
"following the devil."
3. A Heavy Fine: A financial blow
meant to ensure he would never again "tempt" the public with
fortune-telling.
The Wise Man’s Choice
Wilhelm Lautenschläger’s story is a fascinating glimpse into a world
transitioning from folklore to formal law. His "Big Decision" to sign
that confession saved his life and allowed my lineage to continue. He walked
out of the Michelstadt Tower not as a wizard, but as a man who had successfully
navigated the most dangerous "spell" of all: the legal system of the
1600s.
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Michelstadt Castle  |
LINEAGE - Nancy Simmons - Paul Simmons -
Walter Simmons - Andrew Simmons - Phoebe Rexroad - John Rexroad - George
Rexroad - Zacharias Rexroad - Balthasar Rexroth - Balthasar Rexroth -
Elisabetha Lautenschläger - Hans Lautenschläger - Wilhelm Lautenschläger
SOURCES:
Genealogy.net,
Local Family Register (Odenwald) Family Report, Wilhelm Lautenschlager,
KB Erbach/ Güttersbach/AL
Klipstein, https://ofb.genealogy.net/famreport.php?ofb=erbach&ID=00011560L&nachname=Lautenschl%C3%A4ger&modus=&lang=de
Michelstadt Tourism - Diebsturm - Stadt Michelstadt
Von Banse, Heidi, Odenwald-Forum, Lützelbach, Germany:Heimatund
Geschichtsverein, 2013-2016. Allen County Public Library.
