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Herzogenrath
(Stadt Herzogenrath) Städteregion Aachen Nordrhein-Westfalen Burgstraße 5
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Der Schütz von RodeThe Shooter of Rode |
Kurt-Wolf von Borries
1973 |
Relief showing Red's gunman hiding in a tree. The castle on the left shows two windows, behind one is a face, and from the other hangs a rope.
In 1283 the citizens of Herzogenrath had to defend themselves against Winnemar von Gijmenich, the military leader of the Duke of Brabant. Winnemar besieged the castle with its inhabitants. The defending shooters devised a plan. However, to fire an effective shot with a crossbow, you had to get close enough to your opponent without being noticed. Armed with his crossbow, a man from Herzogenrath let himself down from the castle wall into a tree. He waited in the tree or behind it for the opportunity to take a good shot. When Winnemar made his inspection ride and came close enough, the shooter took such a good aim that the bolt shot from the crossbow fatally hit the army commander. The name of the 'shooter of Rode' remained unknown, but he became the hero of this liberation and is honoured for it to this day in Herzogenrath.
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