Part 8/9:
Yet, prosperity sowed the seeds of their downfall. As agricultural productivity soared and the swamps were drained, the phantom of feudalism loomed again. Duke Adolf of Schleswig-Holstein, eager to reclaim the bounty of Dits Martian, orchestrated a campaign to reassert control. The emperor's endorsement of his endeavors granted Adolf the legal rights to conquer the rebellious land and people.
In 1559, the resilience of the Dits Marchers met its tragic end as an army, bolstered by noble grievances, decisively crushed the Republican fervor that had defined their existence. The relentless pursuit of freedom and independence that had captivated the peasantry was ultimately extinguished under the weight of imperial authority and military might.