Götz von Berlichingen

Who was Götz von Berlichingen?

Gottfried "Götz" von Berlichingen, also known as Götz of the Iron Hand, was a German Imperial Knight and mercenary. He was born around 1480 into the noble family of Berlichingen in Württemberg. Götz bought Hornberg castle in 1517, and lived there until his death in 1562.

He was active in numerous campaigns during a period of 47 years, including the German Peasants' War, besides numerous feuds; in his autobiography he estimates that he fought 15 feuds in his own name, besides many cases where he lent assistance to friends, including feuds against the cities of Cologne, Ulm, Augsburg and the Swabian League, as well as the bishop of Bamberg.

His name became famous as a euphemism for a vulgar expression attributed to him by writer and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who wrote a play based on his life.