Step for life: a deal between the doomed and the official (7 photos)

Klaus Störtebeker - a Baltic pirate - a legendary person. AND even considered one of the prototypes of the noble robber Robin Hood. Why did the leader of the privateering association, known as the "Vitalian brothers, received such an honor?





The first mention of a hero who was supposedly a native of Rothenburg or Wismar, is associated with ... beer. In the old days German lands there was quite a legal ban - foamy can be was used only by aristocrats. Commoner even for one sip threatened death. And the man who dared to break the ban, just turned out to be the farmhand Klaus, who served in the estate on the island of Rügen.



Klaus Störtebecker



The execution of Klaus and his sailors

At first they wanted to execute the guy in accordance with the law. But then the rich decided to show off and make Klaus drink a giant bowl of "alien drink". The laborer did not bring them such joy, poured the contents on the ground and cracked several skulls that belonged to those who wanted to laugh at Klaus. After the incident, the farmhand disappeared, but a formidable but fair pirate appeared on the sea, whom the poor and the disadvantaged considered their protector and practically idolized.



Statue of Klaus in Marienhaf

People called the defender who robbed the rich and helped poor, Störtebeker - a bowl tipper. The people helped their the patron and his people to evade persecution. But the authorities are tired chaos at sea. And in 1401 the Senate of Hamburg armed a whole flotilla led by the flagship Spotted Cow to capture pirates. How many people died on both sides is unknown. But in the course Störtebeker's battles were captured. The trial went on for six months as evidenced by archival treasury accounts. As a result, all those caught the pirates were sentenced to death.



Frame from the film "Heart of a Pirate" in 2006 about the adventures of Störtebeker

Legend has it that Klaus tried to negotiate with burgomaster of Hamburg and offered him a daring deal: he should execute first. But the official will pardon as many of his sailors as will be able to pass the headless body of the captain.

The burgomaster, appreciating the absurdity of the conditions, easily agreed. But Klaus, who was the first to have his head cut off, began the procession and managed to pass past 11 sailors. And he would have gone further, but the executioner tripped him up. However, the burgomaster did not keep his promise. And all 73 team members were executed. And their heads were impaled on stakes and put on the embankment Elbes for all to see.



Execution of the Vitali brothers in Hamburg

So says the legend. But in every fairy tale there is a hint of truth. The few information that has survived to this day is so closely intertwined with fiction that it will no longer be possible to find out the truth. But the popular memory of this character is so strong that several objects - the bell tower of the church of St. Mary in Marienhaf, several ships, a sports club and a sort of special glass.



Skull believed to be Klaus's

At the end of the 19th century, a human was discovered in Hamburg. scull. Its owner, as analysis showed, lived around the 1400s. A rusty nail sticking out of it suggested that it was a skull. legendary Klaus. For a long time it was kept in the local historical museum. And in 2010 he was kidnapped by unknown people. So the last one ended a thread leading to a noble pirate who, even after death tried to save his friends.