Talk:Peter Niers

Doubt

Has any reputable historian expressed doubt about the scope and nature of the crimes attributed to Niers? If so, the article should really mention that. It seems unlikely to me that such a body count could realistically be attributed to one individual working alone (even Elizabeth Bathory had collaborators), in secret, and in a pre-industrial epoch. When we factor in that the interrogation used torture, that folk songs were written about Niers and his crimes, that magical powers were attributed to him, and that the body count of "544, including 24 fetuses" is equal to "one murder a week, every week, for ten years"... well, it triggers my skepticism. DS (talk) 14:43, 4 July 2013 (UTC)

Note that the focus is on crime reports (rather than crime), and how Peter Niers became a figure of legend, a sort of boogey-man. There should be no need to find a "reputable" historian to express doubts (but, I've looked for them, without finding any in online sources); those doubts should be readily present in the reader's mind. I have also pointed out that in 1577, Niers was tortured in Gerlach, and torture should readliy be regarded as inflating the actual level of crime. That being said, it remains historically uncontroversial that in the anarchic state of 16th century Holy Roman Empire, there were lots of such robber bands roaming about the countryside.Arildnordby (talk) 15:12, 4 July 2013 (UTC)

As for the body count, there is no particular reason why not Niers should not have been found guilty for each and every murder his gang was said to have made.Arildnordby (talk) 15:14, 4 July 2013 (UTC)

Your points are valid, although I feel they should be made somewhat more explicit for less-aware readers. I would also point out that we're not obligated to limit ourselves to online sources; as long as it's been published somewhere reputable. DS (talk) 11:54, 7 July 2013 (UTC)

Ok, I'll see if I can put in some more explicit warning signals in the text. As for nononline sources, I perfectly agree with you that those can be used as well, but there is, after all, a question of accessibility, not the least for the editor making the article. I believe my article on Christman Genipperteinga is more explicit on warning the reader, but I would appreciate your critical input on that article as well.Arildnordby (talk) 12:02, 7 July 2013 (UTC)

Well, I have put in a big, red warning flash in the intro just now, I'd appreciate if you make an evaluation of it. :-)Arildnordby (talk) 12:09, 7 July 2013 (UTC)

Better, yes. DS (talk) 13:29, 22 July 2013 (UTC)

544 MURDERS?!

I’m sorry but what 2600:1700:8140:3520:A105:D812:215E:BBCE (talk) 00:01, 13 October 2022 (UTC)