[1] The Man family, though not noble, were prominent in the Prignitz, which lay within the Diocese of Havelberg, and closely connected with the local nobility.
This was a lawless period in the history of the Prignitz, and the bishops had constant armed conflict with the local barons.
One of these, Heinrich von Bülow, known as Big Head, burned down the diocesan village of Wilsnack.
The parish priest found that, on the high altar of his ruined church, was a sacrarium containing three consecrated hosts, which not only had been unharmed by the fire, but now were spotted with blood.
Miracles were soon attributed to the Holy Blood of Wilsnack, which soon became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe, exceeding even Santiago, Rome and Jerusalem for numbers of pilgrims.