Armer Heinrich Stone Cross

The time of origin of the cross is dated around 1500. The stone cross is called "Poor Heinrich" here.
It is said that many weapons, war implements and trunks were found under the cross. This suggests that during the Peasants' War a group of rebels who, according to the old custom, named themselves "poor Heinrich" after their leader, were murdered by the Count von Mansfeld and buried here by the residents of the area. A historical source for this is not given.

Source: suehnekreuz.deHistory: According to Saal (1989), the time the cross was made is dated around 1500, according to Klocke (1938) in the 16th century. The stone cross is called "Poor Heinrich" here.
According to Büttner, Pfänner zu Thal (1892), a lot of weapons, war implements and trunks were found under the cross. He suggests that during the Peasants' War a group of rebels who, according to old custom, named themselves "poor Heinrich" after their leader, were murdered by the Count von Mansfeld and buried here by the residents of the area. A historical source for this is not given. According to Klocke (1938), poor Heinrich's finds could still be seen in 1890 at Ballenstedt Castle. Nothing has been known about their whereabouts since then.Say: 1. A shepherd, basket weaver or butcher is said to have been slain here. (Carrier 1956)
2. In the neighboring towns there was once an old beggar Heinrich. One day he was found dead in the forest. The murderer had not got hold of his cash: no less than 24 ducats were sewn into the corner of the ragged skirt. The dead were buried on the spot and that stone cross was placed on his grave. (Lorenz 1928)
3. The beggar Heinrich is said to have frozen to death here in a severe winter. 700 thalers were sewn into his shirt. That is why the neighboring path is also called the Seven Hundred Thaler Path. (after Saal 1989)
4. The beggar Heinrich went down the forest path from Harzgerode to Ballenstedt to beg in Ballenstedt. When he walked back from Ballenstedt on the 700 thaler path, which got its name from the 700 thalers that the duke had spent on his construction, he lost his last five groschen on the way that followed. Since then the path has been called "Fünfgroschenweg". From grief over the loss suffered, Heinrich died in a small forest meadow. The Duke had him buried here and placed the stone cross because he is said to have always been an honest man. But nevertheless he is said to have left a considerable sum of money to his heirs. (after Saal 1989)

On the Fünfgroschenweg on a small forest meadow you will find the cross of Poor Heinrich, not far from the Schirm, a stamp office of the HWN