The Cross That Displeased the Queen

In December 1613 the wind struck the head of Christ from the cross on the bridge, and the following year a new cross was set up, of wood again. In 1619 Frederick of the Palatinate ordered the city council to remove it — because, he said, the queen could not bear to look upon that naked bathhouse keeper as she rode across the bridge. The council flatly refused to do it, and on Count Schlick's advice the king withdrew the order. A few days later, however, someone is said to have thrown the cross into the water by night. And not long afterwards the proud queen fled that way into exile for good.