Klaus Störtebeker
Klaus Stoertebeker, whose real name was Nikolaus Storzenbecher, was a
German who lived in the 14th century.
Stoertebeker led group of freebooters, who captured Danish ships during
the war by order of the Germans. In one way he was a privateer, but he also
captured the ships of England, Holland, Russia and even German ships itself.
In 1401 Stoertebeker and 71 of his companions were caught near Helgoland
Island by a trick. A fisherman whom Stoertebeker granted protection turned
out to be the enemy. Stoertebeker was executed in Hamburg in 1400.
The legend says that he made a deal with his executioner: All those
companions should be reprieved, who he could manage to walk by after having
been beheaded. This way he could save eleven pirates.
