Die Warburger Wasserwippe – the water seesaw of Warburg

Warburg is a lovely place in the East of Northrhine-Westfalia in Germany. The town is named for the first time in 1010 in a document. Warburg has a very variable history, because the city belonged to different lords.
The  „Warburger Wasserwippe“ wasn't an historical event at all, just part of the daily life of the mediaeval legal system in Warburg. But because of the yearly shown rollplay on the tradional „Kälkenfest“ - named after the proces of tanning with chalk „Kalk“ - the Wasserwippe got a real event in Warburg.

A man stole a goat from the neighbor and is put on trial for the theft. He is adjudged to be ducked three times into the cold water of the river „Diemel“.

At least for all the people living in Warburg it became an historical event.

For real pictures of the play have a look: 

http://www.webring-warburg.de/Kaelken2003/Wasserwippe/Vorschau.htm