Tides of History Interview: Professor Lyndal Roper on the German Peasants' War
Feb 20, 2025
Professor Lyndal Roper, a prominent historian from Oxford, delves into the largely overlooked German Peasants' War, a monumental revolt before the French Revolution. She discusses the intertwining of social inequality, economic strife, and early Reformation ideologies that fueled the uprising. Roper highlights the contrasting perspectives of peasants and lords, the intricate role of women, and Martin Luther's evolving stance on the conflict. Her insights revolutionize our understanding of this pivotal historical event and its lasting legacies.
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Cycling the Peasants' War Route
- Lyndal Roper cycled the route of the Peasants' War from Mühlhausen to Frankenhausen to deeply understand the battle and landscape.
- This physical journey gave her new insights into the experience and significance of the revolt's geography.
Contrasting Landscape Views
- Peasants saw their fenced village lands as legally significant possessions to work cooperatively.
- Lords saw the same landscape as hunting grounds, causing conflicts when their uses clashed.
Politics Shaping Peasants' War History
- The Peasants' War historiography is politically charged, reflecting Cold War-era East and West German narratives.
- This politicization hindered a balanced understanding of the revolt for decades.
