The festival-play, written by the honorary citizen of Rothenburg Mr. Adam Hörber, is founded on the following event: During the Thirty Years’ War, bands of soldiers also came to the neighborhood of Rothenburg. The population held steadfastly to the cause of the Swedes, who had sent from Würzburg as a garrison a detachment of about sixty horsemen, under the command of Rinkenberg.

The town of Rothenburg itself had 700 well-armed warriors. Although the van of Tilly’s army, which approached from Aschaffenburg, was erroneously believed to be only a small pillaging band, all efficient citizens hastened to the fortifications in defense of the town.

On the second day the assailants made a breach in the wall at the Henkersturm and climbed up, thinking they had won the day, when the defenders, aided by women and children, who assisted by fetching stones, succeeded in repelling the enemy. About six hundred men lay dead or wounded in the moats. About noon, however, Tilly himself arrived with his main force of 30,000 men, and proceeded at once to attack the town from all sides. A part had already entered it at the Johanniterhof, but the citizens succeeded a second time in driving them back. The council, assembled in the town hall, inspired the defenders to the utmost resistance. At the Klengentor the stock of powder stored there was blown into the air, and the cries of the wounded made the others believe that the town was lost. First singly, then in groups, the beleaguered left their posts, after having fought at the walls for thirty hours.

Many were killed, most men were wounded, and fresh forces were not available. The Swedish officer capitulated, and he was granted an orderly retreat. But the citizens were at the mercy of the enemy. Tilly and his suite, among whom was Count Pappenheim, made their entrance. The council of war demanded the destruction of the town, and the soldiers dispersed in the streets and houses to plunder.

The women and children implored Tilly’s mercy. The councilors, however, were sentenced to death. Burgermeister Bezold himself was ordered to fetch the executioner. But the faithful servant refused to perform the duties of his office, and offered his own head. The delay caused hereby was used by the Kellermeister (butler) to offer Fieldmarshal Tilly a cup of welcome, for which purpose the old imperial goblet was filled with the best wine. Tilly was prevailed upon to drink, and his generals, too, relished the drink after the hot day.