A Sisters and Brothers Production
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
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
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!