Schorndorf in Rems-Murr-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe

Anna Barbara Künkelin

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 1, 2014

1. Anna Barbara Künkelin Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hier wohnte die Bürgermeisterin Anna Barbara Künkelin, die im Jahr 1688 mit andern muthvollen Schorndorfer Weibern die Stadt vor Melak und den Franzosen rettete.

(English translation:) Here lived the mayoress Anna Barbara Künkelin, who with other courageous Schorndorf women in 1688 saved the city from Melak and the French.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Wars, Non-US • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1688.

Location. 48° 48.329′ N, 9° 31.647′ E. Marker is in Schorndorf, Baden-Württemberg, in Rems-Murr-Kreis. Marker is at the intersection of Marktplatz and Johann-Philipp-Palm-Straße, on the right when traveling north on Marktplatz. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Marktplatz 4, Schorndorf BW 73614, Germany. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jakob Friedrich Abel (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Gottlieb Daimler (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Haus am Gumpbrunnen / House at the Gump Well (about 240 meters away); Gasthaus zur Krone / The Crown Inn

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 3.6 kilometers away); Marktbrunnen / The Market Fountain (approx. 3.6 kilometers away); Gemeindeback- und Dörrhaus / Communal Baking and Drying House (approx. 3.7 kilometers away); Das Alte Rathaus / Old City Hall (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Der Königsbau (approx. 5.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schorndorf.

Also see . . .
1. Anna Barbara Walch-Künkelin (Wikipedia, in German). "Anna Barbara Walch-Künkelin (born March 10, 1651 in Leutkirch , † November 20, 1741 in Schorndorf) was the wife of the then mayor of Schorndorf and, according to tradition, led the uprising of the Schorndorfer Women, whose leadership in 1688 kept the city from being handed over to the French. (Submitted on December 16, 2019.)

2. Schorndorfer Weiber ("Schorndorf Women", Wikipedia, in German). "In 1688, under the leadership of Barbara Künkelin, the Schorndorf women saved the city of Schorndorf from being handed over to the French Brigadier General Mélac and thus went down in the history of the city....The French exploited their military superiority and the inferiority of Württemberg to collect contributions.

Anna Barbara Künkelin Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 1, 2014

2. Anna Barbara Künkelin Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here on the left of the picture, between and slightly above the two left-most umbrellas.

For this purpose they moved violently through the country, whereby the threat of arson was sufficient; in some cases, cities were burned down. In Stuttgart the duchy government set about negotiating the demands with the French; all requirements were met. In order to protect Stuttgart, it was decided that the Schorndorf fortress...should be handed over to the French general. In Schorndorf, however, neither the fortress commander, the city commander Krummhaar, nor the citizens were ready to hand over. Several messengers were sent to surrounding commanders of the imperial troops to ask for support. Finally, the messengers from Stuttgart arrived at the Schorndorfer Rathaus with the order to surrender. Barbara Künkelin also did not want to accept Schorndorf's handover. In agreement with Krumhaar, the Weingärtner Kurz was commissioned to call all of Schorndorf's women together. He asked them to arm themselves and come outside Künkelin's house. Armed with pitchforks, knives, halberds and sickles, they stormed the town hall under the leadership of Barbara Künkelin, with the words "Death to the Traitors". Now the women in Schorndorf set the tone. They didn't let the Stuttgart negotiators out of the building for three nights and two days.... When Mélac marched on December 17, 1688, he waited in vain for Schorndorf's handover.... Since Mélac lacked heavy guns, he had to withdraw, but burned

Anna Barbara Künkelin - additional marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 1, 2014

3. Anna Barbara Künkelin - additional marker

On the same house, but higher up (see preceding photo), is a similar marker that reads in translation: "From 1689-1741 here lived the Mayoress Barbara Künkelin".

down a few buildings.... Finally, the hoped-for imperial troops arrived and Mélac had to flee; Schorndorf was saved by the courage of the women." (Submitted on December 16, 2019.)

Additional keywords. Gedenktafel

<i>The Women of Schorndorf</i> - postcard of wall painting at the city hall image. Click for full size.

4. The Women of Schorndorf - postcard of wall painting at the city hall

In translation: "Under the leadership of Mayoress Kuenkelin and through their resolute action, the women of Schorndorf saved the city from the governmentally-decided hand-over (to the French)."

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.