Margaretha Sattler belonged to a lay order of nuns called the Beguines. Sometime around 1523, she left the order to marry Michael Sattler, an ex-Benedictine prior. Together, they joined the early Anabaptist movement of which the Mennonites and Amish are modern day descendants, and quickly emerged as leaders. It is quite unfortunate that more is known about her death than is known of her life. She was obviously a woman of strong convictions and is one of the very few women actively associated with the Reformation. Many of the other women imprisoned with her were wives of the Radicals, but many of them were released due to their lack of actual involvement in the movement and because the majority of them recanted after they were captured. On February 24, 1527, she and her husband Michael brought a group of Anabaptists together in the small German town of Schleitheim, to form the first “Confession” or “Articles of Faith” of the Anabaptist movement. It become known as the Schleitheim Confession. Soon after the meeting, Margaretha and Michael were captured by the Catholics, and put on trial in Rottenburg for heresy with Count von Zollern presiding over his trial. Michael was burned at the stake on May 17, 1527, and, according to Martyrs Mirror:  “His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards.” (Martyr’s Mirror, 1660)  The countess of Hechingen, the wife of Joachim von Zollern and known as Countess Ursula von Zollern in the film The Radicals, tried to persuade Sattler's wife to desist from her faith and stay at her court. But Margaretha declared that she would be true to her Lord and to her Christian husband, and was drowned in the Neckar after her husband's death. It is said that she would have preferred to die in the fire with him. According to some reports she was drowned on Wednesday, 22 May. As depicted in the film, Margaretha resolutely declined all offers of mercy in return for her recantation. She tells the Countess von Zollern as she declines her offer of freedom if she will recant, “I do not follow my beliefs because of my husband, I follow my husband because of my beliefs.”   Leigh Lombardi   Leigh Lombardi graduated with a BA from Texas Tech University and was active in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Today she  is active in the Theta alumnae. Her first break came right after she graduated from Tech. She landed a small role in Dallas. The producer and director, Leonard Katzman, convinced her to move to L.A. to pursue a television and film career. Since then she has guest starred in many television episodics and network pilots, and has been cast in several feature films. Leigh has won two Best Actress Awards in film festivals. One of her favorite film experiences was filming The Radicals as she felt a spiritual connection with her character. Leigh said, “I felt it to be a true blessing to get to play the role of Margaretha Sattler, and star opposite the talented Mr. Weisser!” Leigh Lombardi -- Actress, Model & Spokesperson   Site Concept and Design: ©  JT eDesigns.com, 2011 Image of Ms. Lombardi used with her permission. Be sure to check out the Leigh Lombardi website! Leigh’s first role was that of a cabbage in Peter Rabbit? She said it was then that she realized she was destined for show business! In high school, she was selected to be an exchange student and studied in Sweden. She also landed a leading role in a U.S./Swedish soap opera called Ocean Av -- and is still in touch with many of her co-stars.  Sweden seemed destined to be a part of her life as well. She has worked with the best including George Burns, Mel Brooks, Ann Margaret, Henry Winkler, Billy Crystal, Stacy Keach, Mark Lenard and so many more! Michael Sattler | Margaretha Sattler | Ulrich Zwingli | Eberhard Hoffmann | Wilhelm Reublin | George Blaurock | Felix Mantz | Conrad Grebel | Count Joachim von Zollern