I don’t know how true the story is. I wasn’t there when it
happened, and neither were you. But it’s a persistent tale. Even the most
improbable legend has a grain of truth at its root. Two hours from Frankfurt there’s
a town called Weinsberg. Above the town is a conical hill covered with grape
vines and topped by castle ruins. In 1140 the castle was besieged by Konrad
III. December 21, when the inhabitants surrendered, the king permitted the women to
leave with whatever they could carry. According to the legend, each woman left
the castle carrying her husband on her back. The king was bound by his word, so
the men (the married ones, at least) were saved. I don’t think I’d get far with
John slung across my shoulders. Maybe after a long siege, neither of us would
weigh what we do now. Either way, we’re both pretty lucky to have been born
eight centuries later.
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