This week in Christian history: Martin Rinkart dies; bounty placed on Menno Simons

Bounty placed on Menno Simons – Dec. 7, 1542

This week marks the anniversary of the Holy Roman Empire's 100-guilder bounty on the head of Menno Simons, a religious dissident whose followers eventually founded the Mennonite Church.

A former Dutch priest, Simons became a leader of the Anabaptist movement, which rejected infant baptism and found itself at odds with both the Catholic Church and other Protestants.

In response to Simons' evangelistic work, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V issued an edict threatening severe punishment for anyone who aided the Anabaptist leader and offering a bounty for anyone who helped apprehend him.

"Every one in our aforesaid land, of whatever station he may be, should be on his guard, not to receive the same [Simons] into his house or on his property, or to give him shelter, or food, or drink, or to accord him any favor or help, or to speak or converse with him, in whatever manner or place it may be," stated the edict.

"[W]e bid and command every person as regards the above said capture [of Menno] to put forth their united efforts and render all help and assistance that may be asked of them toward that end. In doing this they will incur our pleasure."

Despite the threats to his well-being, Simons continued to travel and evangelize throughout modern-day Germany and Poland until he died in 1561.