| Around Saxony: Dice, Musical Thuringia, a Boring Guy and a Poet |
Music publishing was a thriving, competitive trade during the latter part of the 18th century.
Publishers looked for gimmicks to bring new customers into their music shops. One idea was to
publish systems that would allow amateurs unfamiliar with the techniques or rules of composition
compose music on their own. Many of these schemes involved using dice or other randomizers to
select musical fragments from an array of choices. Kirnberger suggested the use of dice for this
purpose in his book The Ever-ready Composer of Polonaises and Minuets, published in 1757.
Austrian composer Maximilian Stadler later put a set of musical bars and tables together for
generating minuets and trios using dice. The idea being to cut and paste pre-written measures of
music together at random by a dice roll, creating a piece of music. The sum of the thrown numbers is
looked up in a scoring table to determine which measure to play. Mozart's "Musikalisches
Würfelspiel" became a famous game, and was first published in 1793, two years after Mozart's
death. Even today, if one listens closely to some modern "original" composers, one detects a system
similar to this in play in their works.
Publishers looked for gimmicks to bring new customers into their music shops. One idea was to
publish systems that would allow amateurs unfamiliar with the techniques or rules of composition
compose music on their own. Many of these schemes involved using dice or other randomizers to
select musical fragments from an array of choices. Kirnberger suggested the use of dice for this
purpose in his book The Ever-ready Composer of Polonaises and Minuets, published in 1757.
Austrian composer Maximilian Stadler later put a set of musical bars and tables together for
generating minuets and trios using dice. The idea being to cut and paste pre-written measures of
music together at random by a dice roll, creating a piece of music. The sum of the thrown numbers is
looked up in a scoring table to determine which measure to play. Mozart's "Musikalisches
Würfelspiel" became a famous game, and was first published in 1793, two years after Mozart's
death. Even today, if one listens closely to some modern "original" composers, one detects a system
similar to this in play in their works.
| Musical Thuringia |
All of the Thuringian territories except Saxe- Meiningen sided with Prussia in the Austro-Prussian
War of 1866. Members of the German Confederation from 1815, the Thuringian states joined the
North German Confederation in 1866 and the German Empire in 1871. Their rulers were expelled in
1918, and in 1920 the state of Thuringia was founded under the Weimar Republic by the union of
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ( without the city of Coburg which went to Bavaria), Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach,
Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Meiningen, the two sister principalities of Reuss, and the two sister
principalities of Schwarzburg.
War of 1866. Members of the German Confederation from 1815, the Thuringian states joined the
North German Confederation in 1866 and the German Empire in 1871. Their rulers were expelled in
1918, and in 1920 the state of Thuringia was founded under the Weimar Republic by the union of
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ( without the city of Coburg which went to Bavaria), Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach,
Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Meiningen, the two sister principalities of Reuss, and the two sister
principalities of Schwarzburg.
The 750 year old, small town of Gera, in the east of Thuringia, had,
over the centuries had developed into a textile production center. The
Weisse Elster River winds its way through Gera and nearby forests.
Bach stayed here in 1724, having inspected two recently installed
organs in the Johannis Church and in the Salvator Church.
over the centuries had developed into a textile production center. The
Weisse Elster River winds its way through Gera and nearby forests.
Bach stayed here in 1724, having inspected two recently installed
organs in the Johannis Church and in the Salvator Church.
Mühlhausen in a small town in Thuringia dating from 967, and
had its glory during the 13th and 14th centuries. Bach married
his first wife there on October 17, 1707, and he worked there
himself, composing the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.
had its glory during the 13th and 14th centuries. Bach married
his first wife there on October 17, 1707, and he worked there
himself, composing the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.
Thuringia is interesting for many reasons. Woad is a plant which was cultivated all over Thuringia in the Middle
Ages because of the blue dye extracted from its leaves. Woad was single source of blue dye until indigo was
discovered in the 16th century. Erfurt had a monopoly on it in Europe, and local merchants grew wealthy from
it, earning up to three tons of gold a year. These rich woad dealers built great mansions in Thurigia, some of
which still remain.
Ages because of the blue dye extracted from its leaves. Woad was single source of blue dye until indigo was
discovered in the 16th century. Erfurt had a monopoly on it in Europe, and local merchants grew wealthy from
it, earning up to three tons of gold a year. These rich woad dealers built great mansions in Thurigia, some of
which still remain.
| One old Duchy |
The old duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was a fairy tale in itself. Meiningen on the Werra River was the
capital of the old, almost exclusively Protestant duchy of Saxe-Meiningen in hilly Thuringia, tucked
between the south- west slope of the Thuringian Forest and the Rhön Mountains, at a time when old
Germany was made up of 350 mini-kingdoms and tiny duchies. It bordered on the old duchy of
Coburg, Bavaria and portions of four other former Thuringian states and the former Prussia. It had a
territory of 530 square miles, and was less than half the size of Rhode Island.
capital of the old, almost exclusively Protestant duchy of Saxe-Meiningen in hilly Thuringia, tucked
between the south- west slope of the Thuringian Forest and the Rhön Mountains, at a time when old
Germany was made up of 350 mini-kingdoms and tiny duchies. It bordered on the old duchy of
Coburg, Bavaria and portions of four other former Thuringian states and the former Prussia. It had a
territory of 530 square miles, and was less than half the size of Rhode Island.
First mentioned in the 10th century, it passed to the dukes of Saxony in 1583, and the ducal palace
in Meiningen dates from the 16th and 17th century. The duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was founded in
1681 by Bernard, the third son of Ernest the Pious, duke of Saxe-Gotha. The Dukes were Wettins
of the Saxonian royal dynasty. By 1763, the duchy was in financial trouble until the emergence of
Charlotte Amalie, who ruled as regent for her sons, Charles and George.
in Meiningen dates from the 16th and 17th century. The duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was founded in
1681 by Bernard, the third son of Ernest the Pious, duke of Saxe-Gotha. The Dukes were Wettins
of the Saxonian royal dynasty. By 1763, the duchy was in financial trouble until the emergence of
Charlotte Amalie, who ruled as regent for her sons, Charles and George.
She led it into prosperity until the war with France brought poverty and destruction. Coupled with
cattle disease and bad harvests, the land again plunged into distress and recovered very slowly. In
1807, Saxe-Meiningen had entered the confederation of the Rhine, but had joined the allies in 1813
and became a member of the German confederation in 1815. In 1825, the extinction of the male line
of Saxe-Gotha necessitated a rearrangement of the Saxon duchies, and SaxeMeiningen benefited
greatly by receiving 530 new square miles of territory. Duke Bernard granted a new constitution in
1829. In 1866, unlike the other Saxon duchies, Saxe-Meiningen sided with Austria in the war with
Prussia and the land was immediately occupied by Prussian troops. Duke Bernard abdicated in 1866
and was succeeded by his son Georg, who immediately made peace with Prussia and joined the
North German Confederation, becoming a member of the new German empire.
cattle disease and bad harvests, the land again plunged into distress and recovered very slowly. In
1807, Saxe-Meiningen had entered the confederation of the Rhine, but had joined the allies in 1813
and became a member of the German confederation in 1815. In 1825, the extinction of the male line
of Saxe-Gotha necessitated a rearrangement of the Saxon duchies, and SaxeMeiningen benefited
greatly by receiving 530 new square miles of territory. Duke Bernard granted a new constitution in
1829. In 1866, unlike the other Saxon duchies, Saxe-Meiningen sided with Austria in the war with
Prussia and the land was immediately occupied by Prussian troops. Duke Bernard abdicated in 1866
and was succeeded by his son Georg, who immediately made peace with Prussia and joined the
North German Confederation, becoming a member of the new German empire.
In 1885, Brahms wrote to Duke Georg II of beautiful, peaceful Saxe-
Meiningen: "A journey to Meiningen always offers the most beautiful
prospects." The Meiningen Court Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras
in Europe, being first mentioned in 1690.
Meiningen: "A journey to Meiningen always offers the most beautiful
prospects." The Meiningen Court Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras
in Europe, being first mentioned in 1690.
It became a state orchestra from 1922 to 1952, and finally the Meiningen Theatre orchestra. Georg
Caspar Schürmann, from 1702-1707, and Johann Ludwig Bach, director from 1711-1731 and
founder of the Meiningen Bach side line, were responsible for the high musical standard as
conductors of the court orchestra. While J.S. Bach was never there, Saxe-Meiningen was one of the
duchies where numerous members of the Bach family lived and worked. Meiningen's court
orchestra, during the reign of Duke Georg II between 1866 and 1914, was among the best in
Germany, especially when musical director Hans von Bulow brought it to the status of a top
European orchestra. Bülow invited Brahms to Meiningen in 1881, marking the start of a Brahms
tradition along with Richard Strauss, Bülow's most famous pupil and his successor.
Caspar Schürmann, from 1702-1707, and Johann Ludwig Bach, director from 1711-1731 and
founder of the Meiningen Bach side line, were responsible for the high musical standard as
conductors of the court orchestra. While J.S. Bach was never there, Saxe-Meiningen was one of the
duchies where numerous members of the Bach family lived and worked. Meiningen's court
orchestra, during the reign of Duke Georg II between 1866 and 1914, was among the best in
Germany, especially when musical director Hans von Bulow brought it to the status of a top
European orchestra. Bülow invited Brahms to Meiningen in 1881, marking the start of a Brahms
tradition along with Richard Strauss, Bülow's most famous pupil and his successor.
Duke Georg II founded a resident theatre troupe in 1866, a fore-runner to the Royal Shakespeare
company, who toured Europe and Russia from 1874 to 1890, giving lavish productions as far as
Moscow and London. From a small theater, the Meiningen Court Theater became the theatrical
sensation of its age and was a major influence in the movement toward modern theater. Duke
George II developed ensemble acting and realized the importance of using historically accurate
costumes and settings. He was the first to recognize the importance of central artistic control, which
anticipated the function of the director in the production of plays. The last duke abdicated in 1918,
and in 1920 Saxe-Meiningen was incorporated into Thuringia.
company, who toured Europe and Russia from 1874 to 1890, giving lavish productions as far as
Moscow and London. From a small theater, the Meiningen Court Theater became the theatrical
sensation of its age and was a major influence in the movement toward modern theater. Duke
George II developed ensemble acting and realized the importance of using historically accurate
costumes and settings. He was the first to recognize the importance of central artistic control, which
anticipated the function of the director in the production of plays. The last duke abdicated in 1918,
and in 1920 Saxe-Meiningen was incorporated into Thuringia.
Civilians from destroyed western German cities such as Koblenz had been evacuated earlier to Thuringia for safety, and
they mingled with the locals as well as the thousands of refugees from the East who had fled from the Red Army. After it
became clear that the Allies were abandoning them to the Soviets, many found themselves trapped between two hells.
Large numbers of civilians fled from Thuringia, hoping to trade their homeland for freedom. Many families trekked all the
way over rugged terrain into Switzerland.
they mingled with the locals as well as the thousands of refugees from the East who had fled from the Red Army. After it
became clear that the Allies were abandoning them to the Soviets, many found themselves trapped between two hells.
Large numbers of civilians fled from Thuringia, hoping to trade their homeland for freedom. Many families trekked all the
way over rugged terrain into Switzerland.
Under the often brutal Soviet military occupation, Thuringia suffered from political and religious oppression of the people
and devastating cultural destruction, where, after the horrendous British and American bombing, massive looting and
plundering took place by the Soviets of nearly all old state treasures, most never to be returned, followed by the typical
communist cultural destruction and decay. The historical bond, that fragile interaction which had for centuries developed
and uniquely woven the diverse regions of German lands, together with a thread of mutual cultural identity, was forever
shattered physically and spiritually.
and devastating cultural destruction, where, after the horrendous British and American bombing, massive looting and
plundering took place by the Soviets of nearly all old state treasures, most never to be returned, followed by the typical
communist cultural destruction and decay. The historical bond, that fragile interaction which had for centuries developed
and uniquely woven the diverse regions of German lands, together with a thread of mutual cultural identity, was forever
shattered physically and spiritually.
Although he wrote keyboard and chamber music, songs and a small amount of
church music, Kirnberger should be respected for his best achievement: he regarded
J.S. Bach as the greatest of all composers and applied exhaustive effort to get Bach's
largely unpublished chorale preludes preserved in print at a time when Bach was in
danger of being forgotten. Kirnberger also developed theories of music that would
carry on Bach's musical thinking.
church music, Kirnberger should be respected for his best achievement: he regarded
J.S. Bach as the greatest of all composers and applied exhaustive effort to get Bach's
largely unpublished chorale preludes preserved in print at a time when Bach was in
danger of being forgotten. Kirnberger also developed theories of music that would
carry on Bach's musical thinking.
His widely published theoretical works so inspired subsequent generations to study Bach's technique
and form that many later composers studied Bach's music and brought him back to his exalted place.
Young Kirnberger was introduced to Bach around 1738, and he quickly relocated to Leipzig to study
with the master. From 1741 to 1751, Kirnberger lived in Poland and worked for various noblemen.
Upon his return to Germany in 1751, he became one of Friedrich the Great's violinists. Later, in the
service of the Princess Anna Amalia, he founded the Amailien-Bibliothek which became an important
repository of Bach manuscripts. He kept this job for life.
and form that many later composers studied Bach's music and brought him back to his exalted place.
Young Kirnberger was introduced to Bach around 1738, and he quickly relocated to Leipzig to study
with the master. From 1741 to 1751, Kirnberger lived in Poland and worked for various noblemen.
Upon his return to Germany in 1751, he became one of Friedrich the Great's violinists. Later, in the
service of the Princess Anna Amalia, he founded the Amailien-Bibliothek which became an important
repository of Bach manuscripts. He kept this job for life.
In the 16th century it was a silver mining center. The duke of Saxe-Coburg traded Saalfeld for
Gotha with the duke of Saxe-Meiningen in 1826. The city included a 14th-century church, a
16th-century city hall, a 13th-century Franciscan monastery and castle, and an 18th-century palace.
It is one of the most ancient towns in Thuringia, and was lorded over by the palace Kitzerstein,
standing on an eminence above the river, built by King Heinrich I. and further constructed the 16th
century. There is also the ruin of the HoherSchwarm, later called the Sorbenburg, a relic of the past
said to have been erected in the 7th century. Saalfeld is a small industrial town. Thuringia towns also
include Eisenach, Gera, Jena, Gotha, Suhl, Nordhausen, and the capital Erfurt. It includes part of
the Harz mountains and a forest, the beautiful Thüringer Wald.
Gotha with the duke of Saxe-Meiningen in 1826. The city included a 14th-century church, a
16th-century city hall, a 13th-century Franciscan monastery and castle, and an 18th-century palace.
It is one of the most ancient towns in Thuringia, and was lorded over by the palace Kitzerstein,
standing on an eminence above the river, built by King Heinrich I. and further constructed the 16th
century. There is also the ruin of the HoherSchwarm, later called the Sorbenburg, a relic of the past
said to have been erected in the 7th century. Saalfeld is a small industrial town. Thuringia towns also
include Eisenach, Gera, Jena, Gotha, Suhl, Nordhausen, and the capital Erfurt. It includes part of
the Harz mountains and a forest, the beautiful Thüringer Wald.
The ancient Thuringians, conquered by the Franks during the 6th century AD, were a Germanic
tribe that occupied central Germany between the Elbe and the Danube and converted to Christianity
in the 8th century. Charlemagne made Thuringia a defensive frontier country in the 9th century, and
it passed to the Saxon dukes in the 10th century. In the 11th century, the landgraves of Thuringia,
with their seat at Wartburg (see under Luther under Part One), became princes of the Holy Roman
Empire, and in 1247, Thuringia fell in part to the house of Wettin, the Meissen Margraves who
became electors of Saxony in 1423. In 1485, when the Ernestine branch of the family acquired most
of the Thuringian territories, Thuringia was split into several duchies prefaced by "Saxe."
tribe that occupied central Germany between the Elbe and the Danube and converted to Christianity
in the 8th century. Charlemagne made Thuringia a defensive frontier country in the 9th century, and
it passed to the Saxon dukes in the 10th century. In the 11th century, the landgraves of Thuringia,
with their seat at Wartburg (see under Luther under Part One), became princes of the Holy Roman
Empire, and in 1247, Thuringia fell in part to the house of Wettin, the Meissen Margraves who
became electors of Saxony in 1423. In 1485, when the Ernestine branch of the family acquired most
of the Thuringian territories, Thuringia was split into several duchies prefaced by "Saxe."
Another local figure in Mühlhausen history is Thomas Münzer, a reformer and a leaders in the
peasant's war who was executed here. Mühlhausen was also the birthplace of Johann Augustus
Roebling, June 12, 1806 - July 22, 1869, who graduated from the Royal Polytechnic School of Berlin
and then emigrated to the United States in 1831. From 1845 until his death in 1869, he designed five
major suspension bridges. Two of them, the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge,
are still standing.
peasant's war who was executed here. Mühlhausen was also the birthplace of Johann Augustus
Roebling, June 12, 1806 - July 22, 1869, who graduated from the Royal Polytechnic School of Berlin
and then emigrated to the United States in 1831. From 1845 until his death in 1869, he designed five
major suspension bridges. Two of them, the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge,
are still standing.
Schmalkalden also lies in the heart of the Thuringian Forest. In 1531, the Schmalkaldic League was formed here
by the Protestant princes, led by Landgrave Philip of Hesse and Duke Johann Friedrich I of Saxony as an
alliance against Emperor Karl V’s threat to stamp out Lutheranism. Under the league's protection, the
Reformation spread over Germany. It was defeated by Catholic forces under Charles V in the 1547 Schmalkaldic
War at the Battle of Mühlberg near Arnstadt.
by the Protestant princes, led by Landgrave Philip of Hesse and Duke Johann Friedrich I of Saxony as an
alliance against Emperor Karl V’s threat to stamp out Lutheranism. Under the league's protection, the
Reformation spread over Germany. It was defeated by Catholic forces under Charles V in the 1547 Schmalkaldic
War at the Battle of Mühlberg near Arnstadt.
Most of the cities above, totally insignificant militarily, saw significant bombing at the tail end of
the war. The priceless medieval center of Erfurt was 78% destroyed. Saalfeld had been 5%
destroyed by bombing, Jena 15%, and in Nordhausen 75% of the city was destroyed and
9,000 people killed. Gotha was attacked several times by American and English bombers,
killing 542. Gera was bombed as well.
the war. The priceless medieval center of Erfurt was 78% destroyed. Saalfeld had been 5%
destroyed by bombing, Jena 15%, and in Nordhausen 75% of the city was destroyed and
9,000 people killed. Gotha was attacked several times by American and English bombers,
killing 542. Gera was bombed as well.
On October 14, 1806, Napoleon fought and defeated the Prussian army
in Jena in the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt. Resistance against the cruel
French occupation was strong, especially among the town students,
many of which fought in the Lützow Free Corps in 1813. The
Urburschenschaft fraternity was founded two years later in the old city.
in Jena in the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt. Resistance against the cruel
French occupation was strong, especially among the town students,
many of which fought in the Lützow Free Corps in 1813. The
Urburschenschaft fraternity was founded two years later in the old city.
Johann Philipp Kirnberger was born in Saalfeld, Germany on April 24,
1721. Today's Saalfeld-Rudolstadt is in the south of Thuringia, a medley of
little old dukedoms and home to Luther and Bach. Saalfeld, the capital of
the duchy Saxony-Saalfeld from 1690 to 1735, was about 24 miles from
Weimar and founded around 1200AD.
1721. Today's Saalfeld-Rudolstadt is in the south of Thuringia, a medley of
little old dukedoms and home to Luther and Bach. Saalfeld, the capital of
the duchy Saxony-Saalfeld from 1690 to 1735, was about 24 miles from
Weimar and founded around 1200AD.
| Bach's birthplace in Eisenach after Allied bombing |
Johann Philipp Kirnberger, 1721-1783, was among the leading theorists and commentators on music
of the 18th century, but as a composer is somewhat unknown.
of the 18th century, but as a composer is somewhat unknown.
The great German poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, the eldest son of a religious
and esteemed lawyer, was born in Quedlinburg in 1724. Klopstock gained fame
while he was still in school when he drafted the plan of Der Messias. He next
studied theology in Jena, went on to Leipzig, journeyed to Zurich. Here, he
received an invitation to settle at Copenhagen from Frederick V of Denmark,
with an annuity of 400 talers, with a chance for the completion his Messias.
and esteemed lawyer, was born in Quedlinburg in 1724. Klopstock gained fame
while he was still in school when he drafted the plan of Der Messias. He next
studied theology in Jena, went on to Leipzig, journeyed to Zurich. Here, he
received an invitation to settle at Copenhagen from Frederick V of Denmark,
with an annuity of 400 talers, with a chance for the completion his Messias.
He issued the last five cantos of the Messias here in 1773, and he travelled south in 1775, making
the acquaintance of Goethe on the way. He spent a year at the court of the Margrave of Baden at
Karlsruhe and in 1776 returned to Hamburg where he spent the remainder of his life. In his older
age, he was fascinated by the American War of Independence and the Revolution in France. The
French Republic sent him a diploma of honorary citizenship, but, disgusted by the violence of the
Revolution, he returned it. At age 67 he remarried. He died in Hamburg on March 14,1803 and was
mourned by all Germany and buried with great ceremony by the side of his first wife in the
churchyard of the village of Ottensen. His work has been translated into seventeen languages. Much
of Klopstock's poetry was set to music by Schubert and others.
the acquaintance of Goethe on the way. He spent a year at the court of the Margrave of Baden at
Karlsruhe and in 1776 returned to Hamburg where he spent the remainder of his life. In his older
age, he was fascinated by the American War of Independence and the Revolution in France. The
French Republic sent him a diploma of honorary citizenship, but, disgusted by the violence of the
Revolution, he returned it. At age 67 he remarried. He died in Hamburg on March 14,1803 and was
mourned by all Germany and buried with great ceremony by the side of his first wife in the
churchyard of the village of Ottensen. His work has been translated into seventeen languages. Much
of Klopstock's poetry was set to music by Schubert and others.
| Klopstock |
The offer was accepted, and on his way to the Danish capital in 1754 he met his future wife, Meta
Möller, the "Cidli" of his odes, an enthusiastic fan. Sadly, she died in 1758, leaving him heartbroken.
The poet subsequently published his wife's writings, then turned his attention to northern mythology,
which he conceived should replace classical subjects in a new school of German poetry. In 1770, he
retired to Hamburg, but retained his pension together with the rank of councillor of legation.
Möller, the "Cidli" of his odes, an enthusiastic fan. Sadly, she died in 1758, leaving him heartbroken.
The poet subsequently published his wife's writings, then turned his attention to northern mythology,
which he conceived should replace classical subjects in a new school of German poetry. In 1770, he
retired to Hamburg, but retained his pension together with the rank of councillor of legation.
Erfurt took its name from "Erpha," which meant "brown water" and was the river's name until
modern times. The Gera River Valley has been inhabited for at least 100,000 years. Erfurt's earliest
written records date from 742 A.D., when a diocese was established. Erfurt grew into an important
trading center over the next few centuries, having prospered during the Middle Ages from the woad
trade, selling the plant-based blue dye throughout Europe until indigo arrived from the tropics in the
16th Century. Religion and education always played an important role in the city's history, and at its
height, Erfurt had 90 churches, monasteries, chapels and convents. Its university, founded in 1362,
was the fourth oldest in Germany. Martinus Ludher came to Erfurt in 1502 to study and he received
his master's degree in 1505. Luther was ordained as a priest in the Mariendom, Erfurt's Cathedral, in
1507. Erfurt was occupied by the Swedes after the Thirty Years' War before being turned over to
the Prussians, then seized by Napoleon and later handed back to the Prussians.
modern times. The Gera River Valley has been inhabited for at least 100,000 years. Erfurt's earliest
written records date from 742 A.D., when a diocese was established. Erfurt grew into an important
trading center over the next few centuries, having prospered during the Middle Ages from the woad
trade, selling the plant-based blue dye throughout Europe until indigo arrived from the tropics in the
16th Century. Religion and education always played an important role in the city's history, and at its
height, Erfurt had 90 churches, monasteries, chapels and convents. Its university, founded in 1362,
was the fourth oldest in Germany. Martinus Ludher came to Erfurt in 1502 to study and he received
his master's degree in 1505. Luther was ordained as a priest in the Mariendom, Erfurt's Cathedral, in
1507. Erfurt was occupied by the Swedes after the Thirty Years' War before being turned over to
the Prussians, then seized by Napoleon and later handed back to the Prussians.