Over the years, there have been stories that have passed from generation to generation, reaching the present day because of how curious and interesting they become. Among them, the Pied Piper of Hamelin, whose real history is always questioned. However, what is really known about this myth? Is everything that happens totally true? Let’s find out here at Supercurioso.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin: true story?
The story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin was collected by the Brothers Grimm among others and is based on the events that occurred in Hamelin in the year 1284. According to the story, this city of germany suffered from a rat infestation and a flutist who was passing through the city, kindly offered to rid them of them in exchange for a significant reward.
He played the flute and the rats followed him to the river where they drowned. He returned to Hamelin to collect what was promised, but the citizens refused to pay. As revenge, on June 26 of that same year, the piper returned to the city, played the flute and 130 boys and girls followed him to the hills that surrounded the city. The murky thing is that they were never heard from again.
Some versions of the story say that they drowned like rats. Others that entered a cave that led to hell and the softest ones, that the flute player collected the money and returned the children.
Only 3 infants remained in the town: a lame boy, who could not follow the procession, a deaf boy who did not follow the group because he did not hear the music, and a blind boy who got lost in the woods.
In the end, The Pied Piper of Hamelin is true history certified by the existence of a stained glass window in the year 1300 in the church of Hamelin which explained what happened. Although it was destroyed at the end of the 15th century, several writings have come down to us that explain what it was like. Below you can see a drawing from 1592 that was made following the descriptions on the stained glass window.
There is also a description of what happened, which can be seen in Hamelin, and which dates from the year 1601. It is apparently based on a document from 1384, whose author heard his grandmother explain the story – a witness to the events – when she was child, and concisely recounts the facts.
“In the year 1284 on the day of John and Paul
being June 26
by a flutist dressed in many colors,
130 children born in Hamelin were seduced
and they were lost in the place of Calvary, near the hills.”
The main difference between the story and the real story is that rats were not added to the narrative until the mid-16th century. But the basis, the disappearance of the boys and girls, seems to have been authentic.
What happened to the children of Hamelin? There are three main theories
The legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin has many versions, but they all agree that the children never returned to their hometown. Indeed, it is a tragic ending, especially for the families and the entire population of the time.
There are many theories about the fate of the children, where some even report that they were not so small. Although some are more crazy than others, you can find several that are closer to reality. Let’s find out what could have happened.
They could be victims of a massacre
Perhaps the true story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin is that he took the youth of the city to his summer parties. Being a banner of a pagan shaman, in addition to playing his melodies with his flute, he was able to attract the attention of a nearby Christian community, who in their desire for the region to have a single religion, they acted violently, massacring the entire group.
Other less violent versions relate that it is also likely that the children were taken to monasteries in the area to be converted. Also, it is said that the children were embarked on a children’s crusade that failed and none returned to the city.
There is also talk of an epidemic disease
It is also said that all 130 children died of an epidemic disease. Some historians think that it could have been the black plague due to the relationship with rats, but the main episodes of the plague occurred many years later. In this case, the flutist would symbolize Death.
They were used to repopulate other regions
One of the theories that historians consider the most plausible is that those who left were not children, but young Y their destiny was the repopulation of the lands of Eastern Europe that had been depopulated. event that actually occurred at that time.
In essence, the true story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin is that he was actually a recruiter. That is, he was in charge of organizing the migration to the east, for which he used particularly colorful outfits in order to attract attention. In addition, he played an instrument, usually the flute, which attracted potential settlers.
However, other historians believe that the young men actually left for Transylvania. About, the theory of the German Jürgen Udolph is the most socially accepted.
Wibke Reimer, coordinator at the Hamelin Museum, comments that the areas chosen to repopulate were those close to Berlin, a region that is currently eastern Germany. This is confirmed by evidence of names of some popular places.
Even Udolph also highlighted that the most common surnames in the city of Hamelin in the period of the disappearance are very frequent in the areas of Uckermark and Prignitz, in the surroundings of Berlin. For this reason, he defines this city as the epicenter of migration. At the same time, the theory is based on the fact that the region was ready to start being colonized by the Germanssince it had recently been liberated by the Danes.
What do you think of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and his true story? Do you think this could have happened in reality at that time? Or is it just a simple myth? What is certain is that it is a very interesting story that leaves room for the imagination. Let us know in the comments what you think about it. We also invite you to discover the original versions of the most popular children’s stories.
If you like this type of stories, you may be interested
There are many stories and tales whose veracity is questioned on many occasions, so if you are a fan of this type of story, we leave you some of the most popular selections in Supercurioso.