Germany — Multiple Cities (13th–15th Centuries)

Waves of Accusations in Medieval Europe

(This is a SUB‑ROOM of ROOM 6 — The Blood Libel — in The Museum of Fake News)

In medieval Germany, Blood Libel accusations did not appear as isolated events. They came in waves, often triggered by famine, plague, economic collapse, or political instability. Cities such as Fulda, Passau, Regensburg, Deggendorf, and Sternberg became centers of these allegations — each episode followed by violence, expulsions, or the destruction of entire Jewish communities.

These cases reveal how quickly fear and superstition can spread when society is under pressure. Rumors traveled faster than facts, and emotional stories replaced rational investigation. In a world without scientific understanding and with deep religious anxieties, a single accusation could ignite an entire region.

Below are the most significant German Blood Libel cases, each contributing to the myth’s evolution and its devastating legacy.

• Fulda (1235)

One of the earliest German Blood Libel cases

In 1235, after several children were found dead, local authorities accused the Jewish community of ritual murder. Despite contradictory testimonies and lack of evidence, the accusation led to executions and widespread hostility. Fulda became a precedent — a model that other cities would later imitate.

This case marks the moment when the Blood Libel myth took root in German-speaking lands.

• Deggendorf (1337)

The most infamous German Blood Libel — and the longest-lasting cult

In Deggendorf, Jews were accused of desecrating the Eucharist — a variation of the Blood Libel myth. The accusation led to the massacre of the entire Jewish community.

What makes Deggendorf extraordinary is what followed: a local cult known as Deggendorfer Gnad emerged, celebrating the supposed “miracle.” Pilgrimages continued until 1992, when the Catholic Church finally condemned the cult as historically false and morally unacceptable.

Deggendorf shows how a fabricated story can become an institution — and survive for centuries.

• Passau (1478)

A case used for political and economic gain

In Passau, accusations of ritual murder were used to justify property seizures and expulsions. Local rulers benefited financially from the myth, turning fear into profit. The case illustrates how the Blood Libel could be weaponized not only socially, but economically.

• Regensburg (1476)

A city destabilized by rumor

In Regensburg, tensions between Christian guilds and the Jewish community created fertile ground for accusations. Although no evidence was ever produced, the rumor alone was enough to trigger riots, attacks, and long-term restrictions on Jewish life.

• Sternberg (1492)

A late-medieval case with enormous regional impact

In Sternberg, a ritual murder accusation led to public executions and the spread of the myth across Mecklenburg. Authorities promoted the story to consolidate power and justify harsh measures. The case shows how, even at the end of the Middle Ages, the Blood Libel remained a potent political tool.

Why these cases matter

Together, the German Blood Libel episodes show how:

• fear spreads faster than truth

• crises make societies vulnerable to simple, emotional stories

• authorities can weaponize myths for power, wealth, or control

• hatred becomes a habit when repeated often enough

Germany’s repeated accusations transformed the Blood Libel from a rumor into a systemic pattern — a script ready to be activated whenever a scapegoat was needed.

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