Johann Heinrich Valentin Paul

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Johann Heinrich Valentin Paul (born February 5, 1736 in Weilar , † 1780 in Glattbach ), known as Rhönpaulus , is a legendary figure from the Rhön .

The sculpture Rhönpaulus in the local area of ​​Glattbach - right next to it - the "Pauluskasten"

Life

Johann Heinrich Valentin Paul was born out of wedlock to Hanna Regina Paul. His mother came from Hildburghausen and was employed by the Weilar estate shepherd. His father was a soldier from Hildburghausen, but never looked after his son. After his mother died in 1741 after a serious illness, Johann Heinrich Valentin Paul grew up with his uncle, the Weilar estate shepherd. He earned his living as a shepherd servant.

In the autumn of 1759, because he was not able to marry a rich Glattbacher farmer's daughter, he was recruited for the Prussian army of Frederick II . He saw the Seven Years' War on the battlefield. In 1764 he deserted after being wounded and returned to his homeland. In order not to be found, he chose the rift cave on Neuberg, now known as the Rhönpaulus Cave, as a shelter. As a casual worker and craftsman he only survived miserably. Since the little he received as wages was not enough to make a living, he committed poaching and theft from wealthy farmers. He always avoided violence. He also never stole from the needy, but rather gave them what he had captured, which is why he now enjoys the reputation of Robin Hood from the Rhön. He drove around as a highwayman and smuggler in the area between Wiesenthal, Kaltennordheim, Andenhausen and Tann. Smuggling salt was particularly widespread at this time.

He was finally caught and taken to the tower in Kaltennordheim. But he managed to escape. Another capture followed in 1779 after he was betrayed. In 1780 he was found guilty of "shooting down the most beautiful deer in the ducal forest" and of the rebellion in a secret trial. Locked in an oak box, he was brought to the gallows on Neuberg near Glattbach, where he found his death. The so-called “Pauluskasten”, which should make another escape impossible for him, can still be seen in the Dermbacher Heimatmuseum.

Legends

There are numerous legends that tell of the life of the noble robber Rhönpaulus.

musical

On July 31, 2009 the Art and Culture Association Dermbach, with the support of Fulda Spotlight Musicalproduktion GmbH, premiered Rhönpaulus - The Musical . The composer of the piece, Dr. Hans Aschenbach, directed himself and was seen in the role of pastor. The choreography came from Stephan R. Przywara. Dennis Martin contributed additional music. It was played on an open-air stage specially built for the play on the grounds of Dermbach Castle . The role of Rhönpaulus took over Karl Grunewald, his opponent Gerlach played Marcus G. Kulp . The understudy for both roles was Robert Meyer. Other roles included Tabea Grün, Dietmar Ziegler and Jesse Garon. A total of around 16,000 viewers saw the piece in its first year of performance.

A CD was recorded with the premiere cast.

In 2012 production was resumed with partly new line-up. Maximilian Mann played the Rhönpaulus, while Christof Maria Kaiser could be seen as Gerlach.

literature

Web links

Commons : Johann Heinrich Valentin Paul  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Michael Rieper, Claudia Leonhardt and others: musicalzentrale - Rhönpaulus - open-air stage in the Dermbach castle park - no current performance dates. Retrieved May 23, 2020 .
  2. ^ Rhönpaulus as a fighter against injustice. August 2, 2009, accessed May 23, 2020 .
  3. ↑ a b Stephan Drewianka: Rhönpaulus. Retrieved May 23, 2020 .
  4. ↑ Rhönpaulus - 2009 Original German Cast. Retrieved May 23, 2020 (English).
personal data
SURNAME Paul, Johann Heinrich Valentin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Rhönpaulus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German noble Rhön robber, legendary figure
DATE OF BIRTH February 5, 1736
PLACE OF BIRTH Weilar
DATE OF DEATH 1780
Place of death Glattbach