The vast plain north of the Harz mountains has been the scene of countless knightly feuds and battles.
In 1115 the battle of Welfsholz—not far from the village of Warnstedt, nestling in the shadow of the Devil's Wall—was fought between the Kaiser and the allied princes of Saxony, in which the imperial forces were routed. There is a legend that the battle was lost through the Count von Mannsfeld, who seeing his men flee, exclaimed, placing his hand on a rock at his side, "This rock shall turn into wax before I move from the spot!" when immediately the soft wax yielded to the pressure, and took the print of his hand, and he fled in terror and fell under the Saxon swords.
There is another version of the story.
Before the battle, the Earl von Mannsfeld called his men in a circle around him, and addressed them thus: "My friends! fear not because the enemy outnumbers us; let the rebels come, we will be their death-angel, for, listen all of you, and doubt not of victory, for so sure as my hand presses itself into this rock as if it were dough, so sure will the victory rest with our flag as long as I fight with you."
And before a thousand eager eyes he thrust his hand into the stone, leaving a deep rut.
Enthusiasm inspired the souls of the soldiers at the sight, and shouts of joy went through the ranks.
It is a fact that the brave Mannsfeld, impatient of victory, rushed on before his men and fell.
In the old Kloster of Wenthusen in Dorf Thale—pronounced Talé—is still preserved a mysterious Wonderstone, which is said to protect the estate and family from misfortune. By some mishap this stone was once carried off, and disaster followed disaster till it was brought back.