On the side of the nobles no adequate force was ready to meet the emergency.

In every direction were to be seen flaming castles and monasteries.

On all sides were bodies of armed countryfolk, organized in military fashion, dictating their will to the countryside and the small towns, whilst disaffection was beginning to show itself in a threatening manner among the popular elements of not a few important cities.

A slight success gained by the Swabian League at the Upper Swabian village of Leipheim in the second week of April did not improve matters.

In Easter week, 1525, it looked indeed as if the "Twelve Articles" at least would become realized, if not the Christian Commonwealth dreamed of by the religious sectaries established throughout the length and breadth of Germany.