The German Peasants' War: a summer of fire and blood
Lyndal Roper explores the course of the popular uprising that shook Europe to its core in the early 16th century
The German Peasants' War of 1524-5 was the largest popular uprising in western Europe before the French Revolution. Thousands flocked to its cause as it swept across vast quantities of German-speaking land with speed, determination and fire. But what began with calls for freedom, justice and reform ended in brutal suppression. Lyndal Roper explores the revolution's explosive causes, course and consequences in her Cundill Prize-nominated book Summer of Fire and Blood – Emily Briffett spoke to her to find out more.
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Lyndal Roper is the author of Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants' War (John Murray Press, 2025).
Authors
Emily is HistoryExtra’s Content Producer (Podcasts). Before joining the BBC History team in 2021, Emily graduated with an MA in Public History from Royal Holloway, University of London