Imagine it's 1455. Two young princes, Ernst and Albrecht, are asleep in Altenburg Castle. A disgruntled knight, Kunz von Kaufungen, leads a small band of men through a secret kitchen passage. They snatch the boys right from their beds and vanish into the forest. This is the incredible, true event at the heart of this book.

The Story

The book walks us through the whole saga. It starts with a money dispute between the knight and the princes' father, Elector Frederick II. Feeling cheated, Kunz plans an audacious kidnapping for ransom. The narrative follows the chaotic night of the abduction, the separation of the brothers, and the massive manhunt that ensues. We see how one prince is rescued thanks to a quick-thinking miner, and how the kidnapper's own carelessness leads to his capture and a very public end.

Why You Should Read It

What I love is how the book makes this nearly 600-year-old event feel immediate. By comparing older chronicles with newer research, it separates legend from fact. Kunz isn't just a villain; he's a complex figure driven by a sense of injustice. The real tension comes from the high-stakes game he's playing against one of the most powerful families in Europe. It's a story about ambition, revenge, and the shocking vulnerabilities of even the most powerful people.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoys historical true crime or fascinating slices of medieval life. You don't need to be a scholar to get pulled into this brisk, compelling account. It's for readers who love a story where reality is more gripping than any novel, full of daring plans, desperate chases, and a stark reminder of how justice was served in the Middle Ages.