Salzburg und Hall – Peasants' War 1525/1526
Half a millennium ago, uprisings broke out in the Holy Roman Empire, mainly led by peasants and miners. Triggered by social inequality, economic hardship, and religious tensions, peasants in parts of Austria also rose up against the ruling authorities. Particularly in Upper Austria (Österreich ob der Enns), Salzburg, and Tyrol, there were massive uprisings, with the rebels often demanding a fairer distribution of rights and burdens, lower taxes, and participation in decision-making.
In the summer of 1525, so-called "pacification actions" were launched in Upper and Lower Austria as well as Lower Styria. These were military punitive campaigns aimed at crushing the uprisings and punishing those involved. They were carried out with the help of troops from the estates of Carinthia, Styria, and Carniola, together with Ferdinand Ist (1521–1564, King from 1531, Emperor from 1558). Numerous ringleaders were executed; in the Enns Valley, the towns of Schladming and Johnsbach were almost completely destroyed, and bloody tribunals were held.
During the course of the military conflict, Archbishop Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg (1519–1540) was besieged in Hohensalzburg Fortress. Siegmund von Dietrichstein (1484–1533), the governor of Styria, planned to advance via Schladming and Radstadt toward Salzburg. However, this campaign soon stalled. Dietrichstein barely managed to occupy Schladming, but he was unable to hold the city against the rebellious peasants of the Salzburg Federation. He was captured by them and narrowly escaped execution. This victory at Schladming over the Styrian army under the governor represents one of the greater successes of a peasant army during the German Peasants’ War.
Because coin production in Salzburg had ceased due to the uprising, Archbishop Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg provided two coiners and three mint workers from the Hall mint in Tyrol. These workers were urgently needed, as Gabriel Salamanca, treasurer of Ferdinand Ist, had been granted permission to mint a total of 10,000 marks of silver in Hall and Vienna in the years 1524/25. In 1525, there were 25 mint workers employed at the Hall mint. The operation was overseen by mint master Hans Beheim and a warden. During this period, primarily sixers, pfundners, and guldiners were produced. Numerous die varieties still testify to the extensive minting activity of the Hall mint.
Image: Ulrich Ursentaler der Ältere (1482–1562), Medal, 1526, Silver, MK 5119bα
