Written 1693 to 1778, as Mayor of Bensheim Germany, Johannes Matheus Blessinger gives a very detailed account living in the aftermath of the 30 year's war and the successions Wars in Europe (succession of Spain, Poland and Austria). And then the seven years war as described by his son Adam, and continuing...
His Grandparents were chased out during the Old War from Trier, Luxembourg border, crossing the Rhine River, having died young left their children to be raised by Shepherds, yet Johanness' Father said God blessed him like King David who also was a Shepherd, he also told of how the blood ran down into the market place, like water down a mountain. And later after becoming Mayor and other honorary positions tells of 80,000 soldiers standing in his pastureland, after feeding, giving water and money, and watching as by the number of soldiers, trample all the grain...
Blessinger described how the women and children were locked into the Church as the towns people beat down their enemy till, they could fight no more. He tells how the Emperor escaped over the mountain or that the Prince hid his wife, or that the French Army in starvation ate their horses. War raged on in the midst of fires and floods so strong from the swollen river of the Rhine, he said; anything that could, floated down the River, helpless as babies in cribs, and at times the waters were so loud as they rushed down between the houses you could not hear the screams of those across the street. And how people, birds and cattle froze where they stood, besides the plague and unknown sickness. Only to rebuild and start again.
After the horrors of a war, his Father and Mother being carried out (as he said); "when the deaths started". Later he tells how the people together on a warm spring day walked barefoot all the way to Frankfurt. I can only imagine the relief that came over them as they walked in peace and warmth and safety that day.
Included are recipes of cures he used then, culturally what a find! We've included a map of all Blessinger's properties and other special surprises in our addendum section. You may also find it delightful how he describes animals they didn't know the name of over 300 years ago.
It is my personal hope that this book be added as part of World History Education and read as part of History. The academic value of the content falls into social science, world history and Humanities. Content can be appreciated by any reader.
