a German religious fanatic, known under the name "der Pauker von Niklashausen," came before the public in the name of the mother of God, at whose direction 'he commenced preaching. He was especially severe against the clergy, whom he charged with avarice and other vices. The people, poor as well as rich, flocked from all parts, (till at last bishop Rudolf of Wurzburg: made him a prisoner, and ordered him to be burned, July 19, 1476. See Archiv des historischen Vereins von Unterfranken und Aschaffenburg (Wurzburg, 1858), 14, No. 3, 1-108; Liliencron, Histor. Volkslieder, 2, No. 148; Ludewig, Geschichtsschr. von dem Bischofthumn Wuirzburg, pages 852-855; Langhorst, in Wetzer u. Welte's Kirchenlexikon, s.v. (B.P.)