1571 · Sumiswald · Swiss Brethren
What happened
Hans Haslibacher of Sumiswald, Emmental, was the last Bernese Anabaptist officially executed; about 30 executions are documented. From 1579 pastors had to list Anabaptists on annual home visits.
His execution is remembered in Ausbund Hymn 140, “Ein schön geistlich Lied von dem Haßlibacher” (Ausbund (archive.org editions, 1742 Germantown and 1834 Lancaster)): from Haslibach in the parish of Sumiswald, taken to Bern, disputed with, comforted by an angel, and foretelling three signs at his death (his head springs into his hat and laughs, the sun turns red as blood, the town fountain sweats blood). See also 1535 Anabaptist prisoners at Passau write the Ausbund hymns.
Ancestors alive at the time
Sources
Record compiled 31 October 2026.
About this research
Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.