The following morning Luther dispatched a missive to the elector of Saxony. He started off by bitterly castigating the prince’s close advisers, the knights Hinz and Kunz von Tronka, chamberlain and cupbearer, who, as was common knowledge, had suppressed Kohlhaas’ suit. He then laid it out for the sovereign, with his characteristic candour, that, things being as vexatious as they were, there was nothing left to do but accept the proposal of the horse dealer and, in light of what had occurred, to grant him amnesty so that he can renew his lawsuit. Public opinion, Luther remarked, had turned highly dangerously in this man’s favour, so much so that even in Wittenberg, which he had burned down to ashes three times, there were voices raised in his favour. If his…
