The Legend of Crailsheim

The Story of Crailsheim

In the year 1380 A.D., the city of Crailsheim, Germany was involved in a war with Schwabisch Hall, another German city. The small, completely walled city of Crailsheim was surrounded and had been under siege for over three months.

Schwabisch Hall believed the city to be short of water and food and that surrender was imminent. In fact, they were right. The people of the city were starving and without water to drink. In a last-ditch attempt to to avert there impending disaster, the city council of Crailsheim called a town meeting.

The citizens of the city gathered at the town square to discuss the situration. Some of the people suggested that they surrender and throw themselves on the mercy of Schwabisch Hall. Others suggested that they dig a tunnel under the wall and escape under the cover of darkness.

After much discussion, it was determined that neither suggestion was realistic. In the first case, Schwabisch Hall was not noted for being mercieful, and in the second case, the city sat on a foundation of solid rock, so digging a tunnel was out of the question.

Then, someone suggeseted that they try to convince the enemy that the people were not starving and that they could withstand the siege, no matter how long. And, in doing so, Schwabisch Hall might become disheartened and leave.

Another suggested that the burgermeister's wife, a woman of bountiful proportions, was the perfect solution. So, they had the burgermeister's wife stand on the paraperts of the town wall, turn around, raise her dress, and display her ample backside to the enemy.

Upon seeing this dis4play, Schwabisch Hall did become dishartened, believing that if all the people in the city we8re as healthy appearing as this one person, they couldn't hope to starve the city into submission. So, they gathered their weapons and began the long march home.

The citizens began a wild celebration, an event that was to become an annual affair. Each year, a holiday is held in honor of the woman who saved the city. A gold medal is minted; a public feast is held; bakers and confectioners make rolls and candy in the shape of a woman's backside; and a good time is had by all.