About the Book

In Reformation-era Europe, a peaceful Christian group known as Hutterites has been battered by persecution and migration. Their leader, Jakob Hutter, has been burned at the stake. When a new edict forbids them to share their money and goods, will they go back to living private lives? Or flee yet again? Or take up arms?

Peter Riedemann, a thirty-year-old who has already spent four years in a castle dungeon, is tasked with leading the weary band and uniting its scattered factions. But it will take more than the zeal and faithfulness of one man to come through the next round of challenges.

That story comes to life in this graphic novel, the third in a series that dramatically recreates a little-known chapter in the history of the Reformation. These radicals, labeled Anabaptists by their enemies, were ready to die for their vision. Thousands were executed – by water, by fire, and by sword – in both Catholic and Protestant lands. This action-packed account of young people daring to stand up for their convictions will appeal to today’s nonconformists.

Book Trailer

Praise

By Sword tells how Peter Riedemann, a leader of the sixteenth century Anabaptist movement in Europe, refused to take the sword, choosing rather to be part of a group that experienced thousands of its members being executed for their beliefs. The authors have made careful use of historical sources and have added superb artwork and other features which make this book suitable to be used in many different settings. I warmly commend what is a little-known story of Christian witness in the face of violent opposition.
‍Ian Randall, Cambridge

By Sword uses expository dialogue, primary sources, and imagery that blends the realistic and fantastical to give an account of the life and faith of Peter Reidemann. With this series, Plough has done a great service to the church by making landmark stories of faithfulness accessible and engaging to youth and adults alike.
‍Joel Nofziger, director, Mennonite Heritage Center

‍The early centuries of Hutterite history are rife with persecution, but also rich with inspiring faithfulness and innately moving miracles. One of the most gut wrenching, yet enriching is the Steinebrunn story, which occurred on December 06, 1539 – barely eleven years after the Stäbler group – under Jakob Wiedemann – was inspired to pool their resources and practice community of goods, aka, G’maschoft. By Sword, Jason Landsel’s compelling new graphic novel, portrays the heart-rending events of the imperial raid on the Hutterian Community at Steinebrunn in Upper Austria. Some senior brothers were viciously beaten, buildings ransacked, and finally, all the brothers captured and marched to Falkenstein castle. Enter Peter Riedemann, newly released from Wolkersdorf prison in Hesse, Germany where he wrote our peerless Confession of Faith. To read By Sword is to recognize the miraculous aspect of these events: Riedemann’s arrival, the community members' perseverance, including the captured brothers’ wisdom and endurance among others, as miracles – as timely as the parting of the Red Sea for the Israelites.  By Sword has the potential to refresh one's zeal for community, while highlighting some simple aspects of what strengthens and binds us.
Dora Maendel, Hutterite teacher, Manitoba, Canada

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Tablet of Contents

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Anabaptists