Following the defeat of Müntzer's forces on 15 May 1525 at Frankenhausen, the peasants' war was all but over, as they now lacked leaders with political and military strengths. They felt that they had been betrayed by Luther, and criticised him accordingly for the publication of "Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants". The Catholics pointed out that "Admonition of Peace" vindicated the peasants, by stating that their grievances were legitimate, but when it became clear that the peasants would lose, he deserted them in his writing "Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants". He was urged by his friends to make a retraction, something that he steadfastly refused to do.