Balthasar Hubmaier (born in Frieburg, Germany in 1480, died in Vienna, March 10, 1528) was a Roman Catholic priest, then Reformer and anabaptist preacher. After being ordained a Catholic priest, he earned a degree in theology from the University of Ingolstadt in 1512. Hubmaier then taught at the university, and later became a popular Catholic preacher, due to his going along with the current anti-Semetic sentiment. His departure from Catholicism and acceptance of the Protestant movement were unexplained. In April, 1523, despite a letter from the bishop to Waldshut, preached the Gospel, and called the priests who wouldn't "soul murderers...messengers of Satan, eaters of souls." Hubmaier took part in the Zurich religious debates of October. In July, 1527, the Vienna police made their move, arresting Hubmaier. After being questioned, refuted, and tortured, Hubmaier was burned at the stake as a heretic on March 10, 1528. His wife was quietly drowned in the Danube, also as a heretic, three days later.[1]