Last Feud

{{Short description|16th century conflict in what is now northern Germany}}

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Image:Schleswig-Holstein, Heide, Letze Fehde NIK 2102.jpg

Last Feud (1559) was a conflict that ended the independence of Dithmarschen, a self-governing peasant republic in what is now northern Germany. A coalition led by Frederick II of Denmark, Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Haderslev, launched an invasion to bring the region under control.{{Cite web |title=schleswig-holstein.de - Landesgeschichte - Schleswig-Holstein - Dithmarschens letzte Fehde |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/L/landeskundegeschichte/Chronologie_Augenblicke_Landesgeschichte/1559_LetzteFehdeDithmarschen.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.schleswig-holstein.de}}

The campaign was led by General Johann Rantzau, whose forces defeated the Dithmarschen militia and captured key towns, including Meldorf and Heide.{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Anne Mette |date=2024-03-15 |title=The Danish Conquest of Dithmarschen |url=https://manuscript.ku.dk/motm/the-danish-conquest-of-dithmarschen/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=manuscript.ku.dk |language=en}}