This fateful day dawned much as those past in the week. Throughout a fine warm day most laboured mightily with good heart to rebuild our fortress of righteousness, but somewhere in Eden, lurked a Worm.
The first moves were made in the early afternoon, when the Calvinist Guard contingent of the woodcutting parties returned to town with the change of shift as usual but without their replacement body joining the outward bound group, being required for `urgent business on the orders of the Council'. In fact at three o' clock by the Temple Tower, Councilors James Oldenburg and Providence Wolff arrived at the Town Guard barracks with ten Calvinist Guards and orders requiring the Town Guard to turn over armour and other equipment to the Calvinists, for an emergency operation against a group of Satan's Minions plotting the overthrow of Church and Council. They also ordered silence against the possibility that these subversive elements should learn of the plans against them. This party left the Town barracks and returned to the Temple from where, a few minutes after their arrival, issued a stream of equipped guardsmen singly and in groups. They returned in the company of various councilors, then the guardsmen issued forth once more, in larger groups with ready weapons.
Somewhat before six o'clock firing broke out in the fields to the west. At first many assumed this was due to a defence against a demonic incursion. Its duration and the heavy report, unlike that of musket or cannon that started it raised doubt in some minds when taken with the Calvinist Guards' preparations. More, a half hour later, within the town itself was in no way to be mistaken for commonplace anti-demonic measures, as the crash of Militia Captain Gerhardt's volleygun, commotion of fleeing bystanders and the irregular thumping of an exchange of fire attested. A sudden crescendo then silence proclaimed a victory but whose and who fought Captain Gerhardt remained a mystery to the majority. Then the doors and gates of the Temple complex closed, behind a gathering of the Church down to the ranks of sub-preacher and some lay preachers, along with the councilors and the Calvinist Guard. At much the same time (about seven o' clock), parties of Town Guardsmen moved from positions on the walls to the South Gate summoned by orders of Capt Gerhardt in the absence of Capt Pfifer who had disappeared after he had gone to the Temple to inquire of his force's equipment. Those returning from the fields found the North and West gates barred to them by the guard, who directed them to the South Gate. Here an impromptu town meeting formed, rumour and speculation flying to and fro about the closure of the Temple and the presence within the gatehouse of such as the Preacher to the Mercantile Parish, Righteous Grimmelshausen, Councilors Fritz Ullman and Karl Fischer (come in from the fields), Observer Volger, Capt Gerhardt. Stories of confrontation between Gerhardt and the Calvinist Guard, and the murder of the town's savior, Master Gunner van der Lubbe, at the hands of the Calvinist Guard again, spread like wildfire.
Just before eight, as Town Guards formed up at the base of the Gate accompanied by a light cannon and its crew, and Capt Gerhardt with Preacher Grimmelshausen atop the gate addressed the crowd, speaking of Councilors held against their will in the Temple, the Temple bell tolled for evening service. A cry of `To the Temple' went up and a surge of indignant citizens accompanied the disciplined movement of the guardsmen, cannon rattling behind, mounted militiamen and officers to the fore.
The crowd halted about the edges of the Temple forecourt at the sight of a line of Calvinist Guardsmen, muskets ready, smoke coiling away from lit matches in the still evening air. Few but experienced soldiers noticed similar wisps from higher windows of the frontage. A pause and hush greeted the appearance of New Jerusalem's most respected Preacher, Reinhold Richter, head of the Council of Faith, at the Preaching window overlooking the thirteen postholes set in the courtyard. He spoke in a strong voice of:
"those who have wormed their way into positions of authority within the town, taking advantage of its time a need, who would see the end to the true Godfearing Church of New Jerusalem, usurp the Council to..."
To whom he referred went unheard, his voice drowned by the cry "FREE THE COUNCILORS" from the back of the crowd. The people, hearing the Voice of Truth in the shout took up the demand in a great roar and surged forward. The curses of the lesser Satan in the window unheard, the Calvinist Guards before the Temple fired their pieces, only the surge of powder smoke betraying the shots such was the vehemence of the battlecry of liberty. The rush was sustained by the solid mass of Town Guardsmen forcing forwards any who would have flinched at this first test by fire. From the high windows of the Temple frontage further puffs of smoke betrayed a more sustained volley which cut into the crowded square, covering the retreat of the Calvinist Guards below.
One shot made itself heard over the hubbub as the cannon mounted on the gun platform atop the tower fired upon the courtyard below. Nothing could have been a more graphic illustration of the corruption of those within the Temple for the gun, like the Temple, was intended for the protection of the town. Instead, in a single burst of shot, dozens are killed by flying balls and shattered cobbles. A Judgement is shown in that the shot substantially missed the Town Guardsmen for whom it was undoubtedly aimed, without whom the business of the day would quickly have been settled in favour of those within the Temple. Though there was no possibility of further shots from the cannon for the five minutes it takes to reload, the common people fled the carnage of the Temple Court. The Town Guard pressed on to the doors of the Temple to find them barred (to no one's surprise). While the Guards exchanged fire Observer Volger set a charge of powder against the doors of the Temple, but no more than blackened the surface. Captain Gerhardt directed the fire of his cannon against that one in the tower, ordering a heavier cannon brought up to blast a way into the Temple.
Those about the Temple, finding no ingress at the front then sought a path uncontested by a cannonade duel such as looked to develop across the Temple Court and Marketplace. The eastern side gate giving access to the inner courtyards was covered by heavy fire from within against any attempt to scale its eight feet, let alone the ten of the surrounding wall. Indeed the gate itself proved to be no protection against a two ounce musket bullet fired from close range within, and several fell to balls or splinters. To the west was merely the wall, again ten feet high and again swept by fire from within. For some half an hour impasse reigned. Then, inspired no doubt by the Lord, Observer Volger and Militia Sergeant Wolff led a band of Town Guardsmen in search through the surrounding buildings and side streets for ladders being used in the rebuilding work, carts, beams, anything that might be piled against the wall. Such preparations emplaced the surge over the wall was led by Volger and Wolff. Being heavily armoured of the style of their adventuring days when they regularly faced down other servants of Satan, they were able to pause at the top of the wall, daring Hell's fury, as they let down ladders into the inner yard. Miraculously, though shot buzzed about them, and several of their less armoured fellows fell, they remained untouched to lead the rush down which broke into the Temple buildings proper through an unguarded storeroom window. Bloody fighting within followed until doors were opened to the Temple Court and an overwhelming force swept in.
Unfortunately in the gloom of clouds of powder smoke this went unnoticed by those engaged in bringing the cannon to bear on the Temple doors which were subjected to several balls to the discomforture of those who had already gained access. Once runners reached Capt Gerhardt the cannonading and all other fire from outside stopped and a cordon maintained about the Temple to apprehend any enemy of the Town so fortunate to escape the purging of the Temple with his miserable life. Almost all apprehended fought to the death rather than face subsequent justice.
A powder flash on the gun platform fired the tower. Few were inclined to extinguish the flames as those responsible for the shot into the crowded square met on earth what awaited them in the hereafter. Only two escaped the tower. A gunner, whose captors put out of his agony, and Observer Volger found wandering during the latter stages of the fighting, blacked and burned, sword in hand, tears streaming down his face as he screamed personal vengeance on Councillor Neuman for the death of Henryk Wolff in the Tower. He could only be calmed by guardsmen telling him of Neuman's death, though in fact no trace of him had or has been found.
The work in clearing the Temple was bloody, with quarter seldom given to the betrayers of the Faith. The enthusiasm of the Liberators in this matter was so great that when the councilors were actually found, locked into a room deep within the Temple, Councillor Malachi Jungen was killed by an unfortunate shot from what must have been the last loaded musket on either side in the Temple.
The dawn of Saturday 28th saw tired guardsmen and militia conducting house to house searches for enemies of the town believed to have escaped justice the previous night. Many notable heads from the Church and Calvinist Guard hierarchies are displayed on pikes in the Temple Court. Regrettably in the confusion of the night many other heads also found themselves looking from such a vantage point, much to the distress of those who arrived in the morning looking for their heroic husbands, wives, sons and daughters. Several scenes developed over whether or not a particular head should be in its position, and whose it was in some cases. Eventually only the heads of those unargueably guilty, the ringleaders, remained on display - of others it was assumed that they were merely misguided fools whose deaths are attributed to their evil masters, thus not worthy, if that is the phrase, of such elevation. Besides, it was thought appropriate v to limit the display to thirteen heads, on thirteen pikes, set in the thirteen postholes in the Temple Court.
As the day wore on Captain Gerhardt issued a proclamation, backed by the surviving innocent councilors:
The Word of God At the Temple on Sunday Preacher Grimmelshausen, the surviving ranking Churchman, preached speaking thus of the rebellion:
"Almighty God and heavenly Father, who of thine infinite and unspeakable goodness towards us, didst in a most extraordinary and wonderful manner disappoint and overthrow the wicked designs of those traitorous, heady, and high-minded men, who, under the pretence of Religion, and thy most holy Name, hath contrived, and well-nigh effected the utter destruction of this Church and Town... we yield thee praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful deliverance of this town from THE GREAT REBELLION, and all the Miseries and Oppressions consequent thereupon, under which they had so long groaned. We acknowledge it thy goodness, that we were not utterly delivered over as a prey unto them; beseeching thee still to continue such thy mercies towards us... Strengthen the hands of our gracious Captain Gerhardt and all that are put in authority, with judgement and justice to cut off all such workers of iniquity, as turn Religion into Rebellion, and Faith into Faction;... clothe them with shame and confusion. So we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks for ever, and will be always shewing forth thy praise..."
Further words are spoken of those who fell in the struggle, and how those who fell in the cause of righteousness will be taken straight to Heaven, the eternal damnation awaiting the instigators. Several who express doubt about the variation of this sermon from principles expounded from the pulpit in days past are invited to join remedial theology classes by the Town Guard, who now occupy the benches about the church previously held by the Calvinist Guard.
With the bloody ending of July, the true and solid citizens of the town are anxious to return to normality and put internal divisions behind them. Work goes on apace on the rebuilding, while the fields are tended even more attentively than normal, in hopes of a bounteous harvest to repay the debts the town is incurring buying goods and materials to replace that lost in the fire and the fighting.
As August wears on well-laden convoys arrive, bearing several townsfolk who had been so fortunate as to be away during the rebellion. A few persons, anticipating their possible reception, rightly or wrongly, joined the outgoing wagons to seek their fortune elsewhere. Several families have also departed town with the convoys, those with too many relatives involved in the fall of the Church and False Councilors to feel safe even after Captain Gerhardt's proclamation of amnesty and prohibition of reprisals against the families or persons of the misguided.
Captain Gerhardt also sees to the appointment of several new Councilors to fill the now very depleted ranks of the Town's decision makers, implying that this is a sign of good faith on his and the Militia Officers' part that despite their current control of all aspects of the town's government they intend to return the proper authorities at the earliest convenient moment. The new members are chosen by Captain Gerhardt for their loyalty and their good business sense that the town be well managed in its impoverished circumstances. They are:- Ernst Gerbier (Baker), Franz Stein (Barber), Johan Altus (Smith), Karl Schroeder (Innkeeper (Breast of Gold)), Gustav Volger (Tailor), Werner Manfeld (Foundry), Christian Gerbier (Merchant), and Johan Schultz (Landholder).
While the emergency powers of the Militia are in force (wielded by Captain Gerhardt with the Master Gunner recuperating from his severe wounds. The Council does little except confirm his recommendations, including reaffirming the emergency proclamation issued by the depleted Council immediately after the revolt.
Master Gunner van der Lubbe's first public appearance since the nearly successful assassination by the Calvinist Guard comes when he and his lieutenants, Captains Gerhardt and Fischer present their report on the state of the town to the September Council, after the main part of the harvest has been recovered, and an account taken.
They report that the harvest is as good as could be expected, though poor by previous years' standards. They anticipate a degree of hunger in the spring of the new year as food stocks are exhausted, assuming promised payments are made against credit extended. Provided, however, spring is not delayed few deaths are to be expected amongst people of consequence, as those most likely to starve will probably have died of the perils of winter. In this matter they assert that little can be done given the quality of building possible in the haste of the summer without seasoned timber. While most of the building that have been erected will stand well enough, all will leak as the poorer wood warps. In the longer term much re-rebuilding will doubtlessly have to be done, but for the moment at least all now have a roof available within the town walls and the prospect of complete enclosure by the first of winter's snows. The Master Gunner therefore advises the Council, that the period of emergency may be considered at an end, and the Militia allowed to disperse with the Council taking over its normal function.
This is accepted by the Council, who on the proposal of Councillor Volger vote a small honorarium of 200 Marks to each of the three officers. The Militia is to disband at the end of the month, to be replaced in small part by a force of volunteers to patrol the Northern boundaries, with a view to prevent or warn of any incursions of the Legions of Hell (such as took for their own the Calvinist Guardsmen) before such reach the borders so that a suitable reception may be prepared by the Town Guard and Master Gunner. Captain Gerhardt is given responsibility for organising this force having proved himself over the summer as capable, and having experience of the conditions to be faced by such a force.
Just over a week after this meeting, Councillor Volger leads a small force over the bridge across the Jordan to the very territory that the Volunteer Patrol will cover - the northern forest. With him are: Luther Brock late Sergeant of the Militia and now most likely of the Patrol should he follow his Captain, Lotte Luuk the huntress, Praise- the-Lord Grimmelshausen of the famous halberd, and a Dutch cavalryman hired away from the merchants' trains by Volger to train him in the ways of the horses that he has acquired of late.
Sees the return of the proto-Volunteer Patrol, in sorry state upon Wednesday the 3rd, the Dutchman being borne to Volger's house with a barber and the Doctor called to attend terrible wounds. At the far eastern extent of their patrol the group were attacked by abominations and demons seeking vengeance no doubt for Councillor Volger's part in expelling their fellows from the church and town. In the fighting righteousness and godliness triumphed of course, however the foreigner, being less righteous and godly than a New Jerusalemer (though with his heart in the right place no doubt) proved susceptible to their malignancy and suffered wounds in the fighting which obliged Grimmelshausen, who has some training in such things, to amputate his right arm. The barber and Doctor, after inspection of the stump state that it is satisfactory, given the circumstances of the operation, and feel that if the man could survive being carried on horseback across country for several days in the immediate aftermath, the Lord is unlikely to take him to His bosom now.
The report of the gallant Dutchman's near matrydom by those who threaten all for which New Jerusalem stands causes the Council to approve immediately Captain Gerhardt's plans for the Volunteer Patrol, to forestall such fell things occurring in the Town itself, despite the distance at which the event occurred.
As the last merchant train out of town before winter departs, it is halted in the fields before it is even out of musket shot of the walls, and members of the Town Guard levy an emergency tax upon departing members of the family of the False Councillor Providence Wolff who sought to depart town having sold most of their property and stock in trade (being fine metal smiths) over the last few days.
This tax had been determined upon by an emergency meeting of the Council when the Wolffs' intentions became apparent. In view of the fact that Providence Wolff was never accounted for after the bloody day of rebellion it is thought wise by the Council not to let his family suddenly and belatedly flee the town with wealth intact, possibly to be used against the interests of New Jerusalem should it fall into bad hands. After allowing the Wollfs a suitable sum to make their way in the outside world (for the motive of the tax is not punitive, merely precautionary) some 3000 Marks are held for distribution to those rendered needy by acts of the traitors of last July.
Early winter sees the final touches being put to the rebuilding, once the fruitful labours of the harvest and autumn slaughters have been completed, grain in bins that it is to be hoped will remain fast against the depredations of the small fourfooted and squeaking Limbs of the Enemy being newly built, sausages and cheeses hanging fruitlike from roof beams to cure in the smoke that swirls about rooms from winter fires.