The Siege of Weinsberg was a 12th century battle between two rival dynasties (the House of Welf and the Hohenstaufen) in Weinsberg, Germany, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. The battle ended with the surrender of Count Welf lV to King Conrad lll on Dec. 21, 1140.
King Conrad had vowed to either execute or imprison the men who fought against him, but the terms of the surrender allowed the women to leave Weinsberg with whatever they could carry on their backs.
It likely was expected the women would take household goods with them. Instead, they abandoned their belongings and departed while carrying their husbands on their backs.
Some of the king's people objected when they saw what was happening, arguing this was not what was intended when the surrender was negotiated. Conrad, however, was impressed with the women's cunning and declined to put a stop to it. He maintained that a king should stand by his word.
The actions of the women of Weinsberg undoubtedly saved the lives of many men. They became known as Treue Weiber von Weinsberg ("Loyal Wives of Weinsberg"). Weinsberg’s castle (now in ruins) is called Weibertreu ("wifely loyalty") in remembrance of the event.
