| Part Two 1. Joseph Schaitberger |
The first documented Schaitberger in Dürrnberg was one
Caspar Schaitperger, woodcutter, born around 1565 almost
20 years after the death of Martin Luther. Most likely, his
work centered around the salt mines. In old written records,
Caspar married Dorothea Hadl in 1590, and their son Johann
was born in 1591. Johann Schaitberger, a "mountain worker",
married Margaretha Moser in 1618 and they had at least four
children, the eldest of which was Hanns, born in 1620. In
1629, Johann bought a large Alpine house, and he died when
the home burned in 1651. The turbulent Thirty Years War
was entirely encompassed in Johann's lifetime.
Caspar Schaitperger, woodcutter, born around 1565 almost
20 years after the death of Martin Luther. Most likely, his
work centered around the salt mines. In old written records,
Caspar married Dorothea Hadl in 1590, and their son Johann
was born in 1591. Johann Schaitberger, a "mountain worker",
married Margaretha Moser in 1618 and they had at least four
children, the eldest of which was Hanns, born in 1620. In
1629, Johann bought a large Alpine house, and he died when
the home burned in 1651. The turbulent Thirty Years War
was entirely encompassed in Johann's lifetime.
In 1683, he married Magdalena Khaembl, the daughter of Michael Khaembl and Magdalena
Rathknecht of Berchtesgaden, and they soon had two little girls. Joseph would be considered a lay
preacher today, and he and his friends often gathered at his house in small groups to sing, pray and
discuss books. However, things were good for only a short time before trouble brewed anew from
Salzburg. The Archbishopric had generally turned a blind eye to the Protestant miners because
their work was vital to the treasury and because there were other more crucial problems to address,
but there was soon to be a change in the mountain winds.
Rathknecht of Berchtesgaden, and they soon had two little girls. Joseph would be considered a lay
preacher today, and he and his friends often gathered at his house in small groups to sing, pray and
discuss books. However, things were good for only a short time before trouble brewed anew from
Salzburg. The Archbishopric had generally turned a blind eye to the Protestant miners because
their work was vital to the treasury and because there were other more crucial problems to address,
but there was soon to be a change in the mountain winds.
Young Hanns married Magdalena Thanner of Berchtesgaden and took over
the family property. Hanns was a "mountain man" and one of the majority
of crypto-Lutherans in the area. He lived in the heavy timbered home, left,
and had twelve children. The middle child was Joseph, and it was he who
would inherit the debt ridden house.
the family property. Hanns was a "mountain man" and one of the majority
of crypto-Lutherans in the area. He lived in the heavy timbered home, left,
and had twelve children. The middle child was Joseph, and it was he who
would inherit the debt ridden house.
Joseph Schaitberger was born in Dürrnberg in 1658. He was educated by his older brother Hanns
who later lost his job as a school master because of his Protestant leanings and relocated to
Switzerland. Joseph was a voracious reader and he loved Bible stories. As he grew older he studied
Luther's writings. He went to work in the mines at age fourteen, and at age eighteen he inherited
the family home worth 1,000 thalers. He soon amassed a substantial library of over 300 volumes,
including works of Spener, Arndt, Habermann and others.
who later lost his job as a school master because of his Protestant leanings and relocated to
Switzerland. Joseph was a voracious reader and he loved Bible stories. As he grew older he studied
Luther's writings. He went to work in the mines at age fourteen, and at age eighteen he inherited
the family home worth 1,000 thalers. He soon amassed a substantial library of over 300 volumes,
including works of Spener, Arndt, Habermann and others.
| A New Sheriff in Town |
Under Archbishop Paris Hadrian's rule from 1619-1653, Protestants were at least allowed 3 years
until banishment, and some were allowed to take their possessions and their horses. But a few
years later, the new Archbishop Max Gandolph was not so generous. Gandolph was born in 1622
of an old noble family in Ganz, Styria and was elected as Archbishop of Salzburg in 1668. Even in
the beginning of his rule, other problems took precedence. In 1669, 62 Dürrnberger mine workers
drowned in salt and on July 16, 1669, a landslide killed 200 people. Gandolph's reign was not free
from war worries either: France occupied Lorraine in 1670, and raised territorial claims to which
Gandolph responded with a contingent under Major von Freysing. A Turkish danger threatened
Vienna in the year 1683. Lastly, the infamous Black Jacket witch trials where two hundred people
had been tortured and killed at the behest of Gandolph had just ended.
until banishment, and some were allowed to take their possessions and their horses. But a few
years later, the new Archbishop Max Gandolph was not so generous. Gandolph was born in 1622
of an old noble family in Ganz, Styria and was elected as Archbishop of Salzburg in 1668. Even in
the beginning of his rule, other problems took precedence. In 1669, 62 Dürrnberger mine workers
drowned in salt and on July 16, 1669, a landslide killed 200 people. Gandolph's reign was not free
from war worries either: France occupied Lorraine in 1670, and raised territorial claims to which
Gandolph responded with a contingent under Major von Freysing. A Turkish danger threatened
Vienna in the year 1683. Lastly, the infamous Black Jacket witch trials where two hundred people
had been tortured and killed at the behest of Gandolph had just ended.
Therefore, after around 1683 Gandolph had more time to devote to the issue of religious dissent
and he did not like dissent. He was, above all else, an administrator with a zest for regulation and
rules. Under his reign, new regulations were issued in abundance and included, among other things,
new police regulations, fire prevention orders, safety ordinances, firearms laws, loitering rules, an
alms order of 1678, a cleanliness order for the roads and disease protection regulations in 1679. A
cleanliness order for religion was next.
and he did not like dissent. He was, above all else, an administrator with a zest for regulation and
rules. Under his reign, new regulations were issued in abundance and included, among other things,
new police regulations, fire prevention orders, safety ordinances, firearms laws, loitering rules, an
alms order of 1678, a cleanliness order for the roads and disease protection regulations in 1679. A
cleanliness order for religion was next.
Soon, an astutely attentive Gandolph decided to inflict oppressive measures.
Homes were raided for Lutheran books, and those which were discovered
were burned. The owner's first offence was a hefty fine; with the second,
the subject was taken to be "tested" to the Catholic faith.
Homes were raided for Lutheran books, and those which were discovered
were burned. The owner's first offence was a hefty fine; with the second,
the subject was taken to be "tested" to the Catholic faith.
If that failed, their fates might be that of the 1,000 Protestants in the
Defferegger Valley where almost 1,000 Protestants had been cruelly exiled
in 1684-1685 by Gandolph and forced to leave their minor children behind.
Defferegger Valley where almost 1,000 Protestants had been cruelly exiled
in 1684-1685 by Gandolph and forced to leave their minor children behind.
A rift had developed between a local friar and some of the Protestants,
apparently after Simon Lindtner stomped out of a community meeting in
disgust. Hearing that some Dürrnberg miners had become more vocal in
their discontent, an inquiry was set up by the local Pfleger (administrator)
of Hallein to uncover the biggest "instigators".
apparently after Simon Lindtner stomped out of a community meeting in
disgust. Hearing that some Dürrnberg miners had become more vocal in
their discontent, an inquiry was set up by the local Pfleger (administrator)
of Hallein to uncover the biggest "instigators".
The men were led to believe that they and their cohorts would be protected by the Treaty of
Westphalia which would grant them three years to sell their homes and possessions and leave
their homeland if they openly confessed their Lutheranism, and this they did. Instead, they were
assigned two old Capuchin monks who attempted to re-educate them in the Catholic faith.
Although the Bishop graciously obliged their requests for a bible to comfort them, when they would
not recant their faith they received severe rebuke and during this time Joseph speaks of being afraid
for their lives as they were continually threatened with either death or being "sent out on the wild
seas" as slave labor on the Venetian galleys, a common punishment.
Westphalia which would grant them three years to sell their homes and possessions and leave
their homeland if they openly confessed their Lutheranism, and this they did. Instead, they were
assigned two old Capuchin monks who attempted to re-educate them in the Catholic faith.
Although the Bishop graciously obliged their requests for a bible to comfort them, when they would
not recant their faith they received severe rebuke and during this time Joseph speaks of being afraid
for their lives as they were continually threatened with either death or being "sent out on the wild
seas" as slave labor on the Venetian galleys, a common punishment.
The authorities commanded that they put into writing their confession of faith and hand it over
the Bishop himself. This the men willingly did. Gandolph, determined to carve the heart out of the
Protestants, used this opportunity to cleverly classify them as "cultists" so that they would be
unprotected by treaty provisions. It would either be Exile: leaving penniless immediately without
their young children who would be "kept back" and raised as Catholics, or recanting their faith in
a public confession. The latter they could not do. In a most painful and heart-wrenching decision,
they choose exile. But Gandolph would hear from Joseph Schaitberger again.
the Bishop himself. This the men willingly did. Gandolph, determined to carve the heart out of the
Protestants, used this opportunity to cleverly classify them as "cultists" so that they would be
unprotected by treaty provisions. It would either be Exile: leaving penniless immediately without
their young children who would be "kept back" and raised as Catholics, or recanting their faith in
a public confession. The latter they could not do. In a most painful and heart-wrenching decision,
they choose exile. But Gandolph would hear from Joseph Schaitberger again.
| A Test of Faith |
| Joseph in Exile |
The winter of 1685-86 was one of the coldest in his memory. Still weak from the prison ordeal,
Joseph had just enough time to deed over his house to Hans Brochenberger, receiving no money
after paying off debts. His meagre assets were frozen by the church for the care and feeding of his
stolen children! The small group of families was thrown out into the bitter cold near Christmas time
and forced to leave everything of value behind. All children under twelve were snatched from their
mothers' arms and taken to be raised by Catholic farmers. Joseph's sister Maria Lindtner lost her
first three children, and Joseph and Magdalena their two girls. About one hundred of their friends,
families, relatives and sympathizers, mostly miners, left with them in small, homeless, penniless
bands for Frankfurt, Augsburg, Ulm, Nürnberg and even to the mines in Saxony, there being at this
time no organized community of exiled compatriots from which to seek comfort and refuge.
Joseph had just enough time to deed over his house to Hans Brochenberger, receiving no money
after paying off debts. His meagre assets were frozen by the church for the care and feeding of his
stolen children! The small group of families was thrown out into the bitter cold near Christmas time
and forced to leave everything of value behind. All children under twelve were snatched from their
mothers' arms and taken to be raised by Catholic farmers. Joseph's sister Maria Lindtner lost her
first three children, and Joseph and Magdalena their two girls. About one hundred of their friends,
families, relatives and sympathizers, mostly miners, left with them in small, homeless, penniless
bands for Frankfurt, Augsburg, Ulm, Nürnberg and even to the mines in Saxony, there being at this
time no organized community of exiled compatriots from which to seek comfort and refuge.
The small group slowly made the hazardous journey through deep snows, first to Regensburg
to seek an audience with the Evangelical Estates, and then on to Nürnberg, a bastion of
Protestantism, where they arrived in May. Nürnberg was a progressive, tolerant city of art, music
and wealth and it offered a new beginning. After finding shelter, Joseph initially found work as a
porter and then as a wire drawer, an occupation in Germany since the 14th century, and one which
required immense human strength. While Joseph toiled, Magdalena wouldn't survive the ordeal.
She died of consumption and a broken heart within a year, begging on her death bed for Joseph to
get their children back, something he would futilely attempt. Strangely, Gandolph unexpectedly
died at about the same time as Magdalena Schaitberger.
to seek an audience with the Evangelical Estates, and then on to Nürnberg, a bastion of
Protestantism, where they arrived in May. Nürnberg was a progressive, tolerant city of art, music
and wealth and it offered a new beginning. After finding shelter, Joseph initially found work as a
porter and then as a wire drawer, an occupation in Germany since the 14th century, and one which
required immense human strength. While Joseph toiled, Magdalena wouldn't survive the ordeal.
She died of consumption and a broken heart within a year, begging on her death bed for Joseph to
get their children back, something he would futilely attempt. Strangely, Gandolph unexpectedly
died at about the same time as Magdalena Schaitberger.
In 1692, Joseph remarried fellow exile Catharina Brochenberger, 1670-1697, of Berchtesgaden and
they quickly had four sons. Sadly, three died as infants and only one outlived his father, Philippus,
born in 1692. Catharina died in 1697, after only five years of marriage. Joseph never remarried.
they quickly had four sons. Sadly, three died as infants and only one outlived his father, Philippus,
born in 1692. Catharina died in 1697, after only five years of marriage. Joseph never remarried.
One thing the Royal Court back in Salzburg did not count on was a simple salt minor having
extraordinary literary gifts! Joseph worked feverishly night and day, pouring out his heart and mind
to his brethren back home. He fast became a folk hero.
extraordinary literary gifts! Joseph worked feverishly night and day, pouring out his heart and mind
to his brethren back home. He fast became a folk hero.
Joseph petitioned to have his children returned but was rebuffed. He made at least three trips back
home under cover of night, facing grave danger if caught, hoping to recover his stolen children, but
the church had purposely separated them and then moved them around to foil any plans to retrieve
them. He succeeded only in getting his brother Balthaser out safely.
home under cover of night, facing grave danger if caught, hoping to recover his stolen children, but
the church had purposely separated them and then moved them around to foil any plans to retrieve
them. He succeeded only in getting his brother Balthaser out safely.
Joseph wrote letters, songs and poems of encouragement to his distant
friends and admirers, and with the help of wealthy sponsors, his writings
were printed and bound into the Sendbrief, twenty four epistles in all, which
were smuggled into and distributed around the Salzburg area, imbuing the
Protestants with determination. His writing was joyously anticipated and
wildly popular. It was also hunted down and burned when found.
friends and admirers, and with the help of wealthy sponsors, his writings
were printed and bound into the Sendbrief, twenty four epistles in all, which
were smuggled into and distributed around the Salzburg area, imbuing the
Protestants with determination. His writing was joyously anticipated and
wildly popular. It was also hunted down and burned when found.
In 1691, the Margrave of Baden and the Crown Prince of Brandenburg
unsuccessfully intervened on Joseph's behalf for his childrens' return, but
although this came to nothing for Joseph, it helped others. Through the
mediation of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, some Defereggers who had already
disbursed to Stuttgart, Ulm, Göppingen, Herrenberg and Urach were at long
last reunited with their stolen children. Some romantic accounts claim that at
least one of Joseph's daughters eventually found their father and "fully
embraced his Protestantism", but it remains unproven.
unsuccessfully intervened on Joseph's behalf for his childrens' return, but
although this came to nothing for Joseph, it helped others. Through the
mediation of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, some Defereggers who had already
disbursed to Stuttgart, Ulm, Göppingen, Herrenberg and Urach were at long
last reunited with their stolen children. Some romantic accounts claim that at
least one of Joseph's daughters eventually found their father and "fully
embraced his Protestantism", but it remains unproven.
In 1695, in reaction to the Schaitberger Sendbrief, left, the Salzburg Court
Chancellery hired P.Maurus Liechtenhaimb, a member of the Benedictine
Order and the University faculty, to draft a ten page Catholic rebuttal called
"The Anti-Schaitberger", but it failed to make much of an impact.
Chancellery hired P.Maurus Liechtenhaimb, a member of the Benedictine
Order and the University faculty, to draft a ten page Catholic rebuttal called
"The Anti-Schaitberger", but it failed to make much of an impact.
Joseph would, ironically, live until the greater Salzburg expulsion almost a half century later. As
an old man, although he was not a native Nürnberger, he was able to reside at the Lutheran
Brothers house which had been set up by Konrad Mendel in 1388 to shelter "twelve poor brothers"
in Nürnberg. Joseph died peacefully in 1733 at 75 years of age. His tomb is at Friedhof St. Rochus,
grab number 782. By the time of his death, Austria had been cleansed of Protestants. His Neu
Vermehrter Evangelischer Sendbrief was the most popular religious tract of its time next to the
Holy Bible and it remained a popular inspirational work for generations to come.
an old man, although he was not a native Nürnberger, he was able to reside at the Lutheran
Brothers house which had been set up by Konrad Mendel in 1388 to shelter "twelve poor brothers"
in Nürnberg. Joseph died peacefully in 1733 at 75 years of age. His tomb is at Friedhof St. Rochus,
grab number 782. By the time of his death, Austria had been cleansed of Protestants. His Neu
Vermehrter Evangelischer Sendbrief was the most popular religious tract of its time next to the
Holy Bible and it remained a popular inspirational work for generations to come.
Gandolph had the radical Dürrnberg leaders arrested and brought before
the local court at Hallein, initially Joseph Schaitberger, his brother-in-law
Mathias Kambl, Simon Lindtner and Ruprecht Winter. Schaitberger and
Kambl were removed to a holding cell outside of Salzburg and then brought
before the Royal Court and interrogated. After freely admitting their faith,
they were sentenced to fifty days of hard labor breaking rock, deprived of
rest and forced to live on bread and water.
the local court at Hallein, initially Joseph Schaitberger, his brother-in-law
Mathias Kambl, Simon Lindtner and Ruprecht Winter. Schaitberger and
Kambl were removed to a holding cell outside of Salzburg and then brought
before the Royal Court and interrogated. After freely admitting their faith,
they were sentenced to fifty days of hard labor breaking rock, deprived of
rest and forced to live on bread and water.
Part 2: Joseph Schaitberger
Salt Mining and Dürrnberg Salt Mining in History
Salzburg Miscellany: Max Gandolph Witch Trials
| or take a sidetrip below |