2-715-103 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Tilly in Rothenburg, 1631, (1936). Woman pleading with Count Tilly in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Catholic commander Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly (1559-1632) wanted to burn the city of Rothenburg, and condemned the city councilmen to death. The councillors, in an effort to appease him, offered him wine in a large cup. Tilly challenged anyone to drink all the wine in one go, and promised that if it was done he would spare the city. The mayor, Georg Nusch, succeeded in emptying the cup and so saved his city. The events have been commemorated annually since 1881 in the play "Der Meistertrunk" (The Master Draught). From "Bilder Deutscher Geschichte", (Pictures of German History), No.12, cigarette card album. [Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Altona-Bahrenfeld, Hamburg, Germany, 1936]