Elizabeth Hut (Anabaptist Martyr – Executed by drowning January 25th 1527)

Elizabeth Hut (Anabaptist Martyr – Executed by drowning January 25^th 1527)

Elizabeth Hut was one of the earliest martyrs in Anabaptist history. She was executed by drowning at Bamberg in Franconia, upper Bavaria. Bamberg is about thirty miles north of Nuremberg, and was the former capital of the bishopric of the region of Bamberg, an ecclesiastical state. Her martyrdom marked the beginning of the first major attempt to purge the region of Anabaptists. A mandate to that intent was published against the Anabaptists in 1527, again in 1528, and again in 1529. There were many martyrdoms in this region following her death. Hundreds of women died for their faith.

Elizabeth became a disciple of Christ and was baptized scarcely before early June 1526. Little did she know that within eight months she would pay the ultimate price. It was while her father, Hans Hut, was away in Augsburg that Elizabeth was arrested. Upon her arrest it was quite evident that she knew the Bible for herself, especially the New Testament. As she was being tried for her faith, she gave clear answers about her commitment to Christ as Lord, and refused to recant and return to the state church.

The execution of Elizabeth Hut followed the pattern most frequently used for women. She was sentenced to death by drowning. They led her to the river where she was placed in a bag. Weights were attached to the bag and she was thrown into the water.

In this execution, the daughter of Hans Hut became one of the earliest martyrs in the Anabaptist movement.

No one truly knows Christ unless he follows him daily in life – Hans Denck.