Apparently, Dirk was born in the Netherlands and was baptized in his older years, therefore going against the norm of infant baptism. To enrage the Catholics and Protestants even more, he practiced adult baptism in his home. He was condemned in 1569 by the Roman Catholics and arrested. He was sent to a prison that used to be a residential palace, but he soon escaped by fashioning a rope made of knotted rags.
From the rope, he was able to descend onto a frozen moat below and was able to walk without breaking the ice because of his emaciated state. However, a guard saw him escaping and he tried to pursue him. The guard, being much heavier, fell through the ice and cried for help. Dirk turned around and actually saved the guard's life. The guard apparently wanted to let Dirk go free, but the burgomaster reminded the guard of his oath and convinced the guard otherwise. After many trials and imprisonments, Dirk was burned at the stake on May 16th, 1569.
Dirk Willems remains one of the most celebrated martyrs of the Anabaptists, as well as a great folk hero for the Amish and Mennonites. A book titled Dirk's Exodus was later written about him in 1990.
No comments:
Post a Comment