Wolfhart Spangenberg (1567-1636?) is the anonymous author of the "EselKonig" ("King Ass") (1625), the most vitriolic known satire against Rosicrucians, Pansophists and Paracelsists, movements which gained considerable currency in the early 17th century. The present study examines Spangenberg's motives and objectives and relates the "EselKonig" to his earlier satirical writings "Des Flohes Strauss mit der Lauss" ("The Flea's Combat with the Louse"), "Lob der Mucken" ("In Praise of Gnats"), and "GanssKonig" ("King Goose")."

The fruit of long years of collaboration, this volume brings together studies of fundamental importance on sources of significance for the literary and cultural history of Alsace, with special reference to the city of Strasbourg. An essential element for the historiography of late humanism in Strasbourg is the presentation of evidence on scholarly and political controversies. Of central significance here is the most important regional literary society of the age, the Tannengesellschaft in Strasbourg. A study of its members, notably Rompler von LAwenhalt and Johann Michael Moscherosch, highlights a number of currents operative at the time and also the striking continuity and diversity of satirical writing. Aspects of the history of publishing in Strasbourg receive close attention, as do intertextual connections and thematic strands of major import in this connection. The annex provides indications for further reading.