| Notes |
- In January 1613 a new mandate was issued against the Anabaptists, which was largely a repetition of that of 1585. On the basis of this mandate attempts were first made to win over the anabaptist peacefully through disputations or conversations. At the first disputation, which took place at Wadenswil on Jan. 26, the Zurich Burgermeister Rahn, aided by J.J. Breitinger, pastor at St. Peter's in Zurich, soon to be the leader of the the Zurich church, represented Qurich, while the elders HANS LANDIS and Rudolph Bachmann and a preacher Galatz represented the Anabaptsts. The meeting was fruitless. There was a second disputation but it was also fruitless. At last extreme measures were taken. Six Anabaptist leaders from Wadenswil and Horgen were arrested, among them HANS LANDIS, who finally was executed the following year as the last Anabaptist martyr in Zurich. The Ausbund (from 1655 on ) contains a hymn of 47 verses abut him.
Hans Landis, "a pious witness of the Divine truth", was a pietist, or mennonite, preacher, who resided on the Swiss Rhine and ministered to those who were seeking after righteousness. The Council of Zurich ordered his arrest hoping thus to stop his teachings. The good man "was taken prisoner by his enemies and sent in irons from Zurich to the Papists at Solothurn." He was liberated on this occasion, but was retaken and sent to Zurich, where he was rigorously examined as to his doctrines and condemned to death: and, in September, 1614, he was beheaded with a sword.
A letter written by a preacher of Zurich, dated July 19-29, 1659, describes the person and character of Hans Landis and the manner of his execution.
"Havavier Salr, was present at the decapitation of Hans Landis, which circumstance is still fresh in my memory, having witnessed it at the Wolfs-statt, and the whole transaction seems as vivid to me now as though it had transpired but a few weeks ago." In the sequel he describes his person and the manner of his death as follows: "Hans Landis was tall of stature, had a long black beard, a little gray, and a masculine voice. Being led out cheerfully with a rope, to Wolfs-statt the place of decollation, the executioner, Mr. Paul Volmar, let the rope fall, raised both hands to heaven, and said: O! God of mercy, to thee be it complained, that you, Hans have fallen into my hands: for God's sake forgive me for what I must do to you. Hans consoled the executioner, saying: I have already forgiven you, may God forgive you also: I am well aware that you must execute the sentence of the magistracy, be undismayed and see that nothing hinders you in this matter. Whereupon he was beheaded. The people were of the op
The following, from credible witnesses may be added, namely; that when the oft-mentioned Hans Landis was awaiting his doom at the place of execution, his wife and child came to him with tears and lamentation, to bid him a last farewell. But when he saw them he entreated them to depart, so that his resolution to meet his impending fate might not be shaken, and his tranquiltiy of mind disturbed by tears and sorrowing. This done, and having commended his soul to God, a stroke of the sword put a speedy termination to his life."
Although Hans Landis was the last person in that vicinity to be beheaded for religious convictions, persecutions did not cease with his death.
About 1660 or thereabouts, the Landis family took refuge in Germany, some settling in Zwieburg and Alsace, others locating in the neighborhood of Strasburg, while still others found a home in Manheim where, like the Palentines, they became cultivators of the soil. the first mention of the family in the Palantinate occurred on 2 March 1661, when a group of 50 persons was surprised at an evening meeting at Steinsfurt near Sinsheim on the Elsenz, they were heavily fined. Among them were Hans Landes of Rohrbach, his son Rudolf Landes of Weiler, and his mother and sister. In the 18th century there were Mennonite members of the Landes family in the Palatinate at Steinsfurt, Zuzenhausen, Schatthausen, Richen, Bockschaft, Kirschgartschausen, Ibersheim, Heppenheim, and Herrnsheim.
After the execution of Hans Landis the Zurich council decided to confiscate Anabaptist property without respite. On 22 October 1614, it ordered the confiscation of the property of exiles. The property left by Hans Landis was indeed promised to his wife and children on 23 February 1615, but only on the condition that they join the state church within two weeks. Otherwise they could expect only exile and loss of property. Since the sorely tried widow could not make such a promise she was "laid in bonds" on 24 May. The Reformed preacher tried to win her to his church in prison. It is not known how long she was held. Her children were at first intimidated, but finally most of them decided to stay with the Swiss Brethren. The government then confiscated the property and put dependent members of the family among strangers. About 1640 the property of Rudolf, Hans and Felix Landis, all sons of the martyr, was sold.
The oldest Landis homestead is located in Hirzel, built aboud 1488, and still in the hands of Landis descendants.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Excerpted from the Martyr's Mirror, Thieleman J. Van Braght, 1659
(The researcher is a multiple descendant of Hans Landis.)
HANS LANDIS, A. D. 1614
That the bloody constraint or dominion over the consciences of men still obtains, is a sad thing, and especially is it to be deplored, that those who boast of being, more than others, followers of the defenseless Lamb, have not more the nature of the lamb, but much rather that of wolves in them. It certainly cannot stand as an excuse, that such a course is conducive to the maintenance of purity of the church; but it appears to be a hot zeal to weed out the tares (or what they judge to be tares); whereas the servants of the lord, when their zeal urged them to root out the tares, did not venture to do it; but asked permission, and when they were forbidden to do it, they forbore. If these would also ask, or examine the law book of their Lord, they would find there, that the Shepherd does not teach His flock to devour, but sends them as sheep among wolves; that it is also not His will, that the erring should be destroyed, but that they should be guided into the true way; and that He also does not desire t
When the council at Zurich learned of this, they, instigated by the disposition of the envious scribes and Pharisees, could not tolerate this, but instantly caused it to be forbidden him, as though they had thought thereby to hinder the true progress of the word of the Gospel. But he, who knew with Peter, that we must obey God's commands more than the commandments of men, had such love to the truth, and to the young sucklings on Zion's breasts, that no human threats could induce him to forbear feeding them with the true food of the soul. Hence the enviers of the same apprehended him, and sent him ironed from Zurich to Solothurm, to the papists, expecting that he should forthwith be sent to sea or upon the galleys; but through the help of good- hearted people he was there released; but subsequently apprehended again and taken to Zurich, where he was rigorously examined concerning his doctrine, and when he would in no wise desist from his godly purpose or from his faith, they showed in him, that their d
In this they evinced their old nature of Pharisees; who, when they condemned to death the innocent Lamb, the Saviour of us all, did not say that it was for His virtuous doctrine by which He converted man to God, but that He had to die for His blasphemy. And this is the nature of all tyrants, to heap upon the innocent, besides sufferings and death, also false accusations. But when the last day of judgment shall come, when they must also expect and shall receive a sentence for their inconsiderate sentences, and shall lament in amazement: "Behold these whom we once had in derision, and a proverb of reproach, how are they now exalted"; then they shall too late repent of their wicked course, and lament it forever with gnashing of teeth.
But on the other hand, this pious martyr and witness of God, and all the righteous that are still under the altar and wait for the fulfillment of the number of their brethren who shall also make their robes white in the blood of the Lamb, shall receive a glorious reward, and shall then together, in shining raiment, with great boldness, as valiant heroes and confessors of Christ, with the wise virgins, be admitted by the Bridegroom to His marriage, where they shall enjoy eternal happiness, and possess the kingdom of the Father, prepared for them from the beginning. Amen.
FURTHER OBSERVATIONS TOUCHING THE PERSON AND DEATH OF HANS LANDIS
Having through our good friends B. Louwr and H. Vlaming come into possession of a certain extract from a letter dated, A. D. 1659, July 19-29, from one of the preachers at Zurich, who witnessed the death of the afore-mentioned martyr, we have deemed it well to add it here, that is, as much of it as is necessary to be given here for fuller information.
"Further you remember," he writes, "that Hattavier Salr. witnessed the beheading of Hans Landis, which I also still remember well, having seen it myself in the Wolfsstadt, the whole transaction being as fresh in my recollection, as though it had happened but a few weeks ago.
Continuing, he speaks of his personal appearance and the manner of his death, saying.
"Hans Landis was a tall, stately person, with a long black and gray beard, and a manful voice.
"When he, cheerful and of good courage, was led out, by a rope, to the Wolfsstadt (being the place made ready for his execution), the executioner, Mr. Paull Volmar dropped the rope, and lifting up both of his hands to heaven, spoke these words: 'O that God, to whom I make my complaint, might have compassion; that you, Hans, have come into my hands in this manner; forgive me, for God's sake, that which I must do to you."
"Hans Landis comforted the executioner, saying that he had already forgiven him: God would forgive him, too; he well knew that he had to execute the order of the authorities; he should not be afraid, and see that there was no hindrance in his way.
"Thereupon he was beheaded. After his head 4 been struck off, the executioner asked: 'Lord bailiff of the Empire, have I executed this man rightly according to imperial law and sentence?' Otherwise it was customary to say: 'This poor fellow,' etc. As though he believed that he died saved and rich.
"The people were of the opinion, that the executioner by dropping the rope meant to indicate to Hans that he should run away, it was also generally said: that if he had run away, no one would have lowed him, to stop him." So far the aforementioned extract.
Further Statement.-It is also appropriate to give here what has been stated to us through credible testimony, namely, that when the aforementioned Hans Landis was standing in the place of execution, to be put to death, his dear wife and children came to him with mournful crying and lamentation, to take a last and final adieu and leave from him. But when he saw them, he requested them to go away from him, in order that his good resolution and tranquillity of heart for the death awaiting him might not be disturbed or taken away their weeping and grief; which having been done, and he having commended his soul into the hands of God, the quickly descending stroke of the sword put an end to his life.
Hattavier mentioned in the Martrys' Mirror on page 1104 as a witness of the execution of Hans Landis is Izak Hattavier, a Protestant merchant of Amsterdaym, who had some sympathy for the Anabaptists.
*****************************************************************************************************************
In Mennonites in Europe, Vol 1, Mennonite Publishing House, 1942, pg 67:
As an effort "to win the Anabaptists from their erroneous ways," the Council of Zurich arranged for a debate with them. The debate was held in Wadenswyl, on January 26, 1613, and was attended by fifteen Brethren (Anabaptists) including Hans Landis of Horgerberg. In the course of the discussions they were asked to render obedience to the Council. They in turn begged the Council to grant them liberty of conscience; in all things that are not contrary to their conscience, they said, they would be willingly obedient. Hans Landis made the statement that often persons came to him weeping and asking to be baptized. Shortly after this debate six Brethren were sentenced to the galleys. Three of them vacillated and yielded, the remaining three, among them Hans Landis, were delivered to the French ambassador in Solothurn. These three men escaped from prison at night, by the assistance of Bernese Brethren. They were let down from the city walls by ropes.
Hans Landis was again seized about a year later, and condemned to death. He was beheaded on September 29, 1614, in Zurich. While he was being led to the place of execution he was composed and calm. The executioner, who was personally acquainteded with him, was in great distress. He lifted up his hands to heaven and exclaimed, "God have mercy! I make lamentation to Him that you, Hands, have come into my hands in such a way. Forgive me for God's sake that which I must do to you." Forgiveness was granted, and Hands Landis died "a hero of the faith"--the last martyr of the Brethren in Switzerland.
The Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss and German Pioneer Settlers of South-eastern Pennsylvania: Hans Landis, who in 1614, against the prohibition of the government preached before large meetings in forest and field, baptized and solemnized marriages. He was, for that reason, taken prisoner and as he would not promise to cease such activities in the future, condemned to six years punishment on the galleys of Venice, but escaped. He returned to Switzerland and was soon recaptured and behaded on Sept 29, 1614.
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Volume 111, 1957:
Landis, Hans. A Swiss Brethren martyr, a preacher from Wadenswil in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, was imprisoned in the Wellenberg in 1608; after a few months his fellow prisoners managed to release him from the chains, and all escaped. The others were soon captured, but Hans reached his native village. Another attempt was made to indoctrinate the Anabaptists to win them to the state church. On Jan. 21, 1613, the first disputation of the government with them took place at Wadenswil. It was fruitless, as was also the second one, held Feb. 23. Thereupon, Hans Landis was again put in prison with five other Brethren. In early August negotiations were begun. Landis remained "stiff-necked." He refused to emigrate, saying that the earth was the Lord's; no one had authority to send them away out of the country; they were going to stay in the country.
On Aug. 25, 1613, all six brethren were condemned to galley service and were to be delivered to the French minister at Soluthrun on the next day. Once more they were given permission to emigrate, with a week's time to decide. Three wavered and consented; the others encouraged Landis to be faithful. These three (Hans Landis, Galli Fuchs, and Stephan Zehnder) were taken to Soluthrun and lodged in prison to await transport. In three days they escaped.
In December 1613 Hands Landis, having returned to minister to his flock, was again seized. In prison he wrote to his church and his friend. He asked his wife for the Doms-buchli (the Confessio of the martyr Thomas von Imbroich, q.v.). He was questioned on the rack. On sept. 29, 1614, he was sentenced to death and was beheaded the next day. This was the last Anabaptist execution in Zurich.
In a statistical anylysis of the execution of Anabaptists by Claus-Peter Clasen, only one Anabaptist (Hans Landis) was executed in Switzerland in the years 1610-1618, and only one in the years 1590-1599.
- Data Migrated to GYNZER
|
1553 - 1614 (61 years)