Peter Nikoll (1771–1817) was a bandit leader from Mecklenburg who was beheaded for his crimes. His nickname wasBlack Peter.
Nikoll was born in 1771 in theDuchy of Mecklenburg and was involved in crime from an early age. In his later years he became a bandit chieftain who headed a powerful gang of robbers. Countless atrocities were committed under his leadership until he and his accomplices were eventually caught. Because of his reputation, he earned the sobriquet "Black Peter" (German:Schwarzer Peter) and, even after his death, "his deeds lived on in people's minds". Theeponymous children's card game was said by one source to be named after him.[1] In the 19th century this game was played in northern Germany in the long winter evenings. The loser was "Black Peter" who received a charcoal mark on the face and had to pay a forfeit.[2]
Other sources, however, claim the card game was invented byJohann Peter Petri (1752–after 1812), a highwayman also nicknamed "Black Peter", who came from thePalatinate region.[3][4]
Nikoll was beheaded on 13 June 1817 inGlückstadt in the neighbouringDuchy of Holstein along with six of his fellow bandits; the remainder were sentenced to life imprisonment.[1] Most died in gaol with the exception of one who was released by theKing of Denmark in 1852 under the condition that he emigrated. In August that year, he arrived in New York where he published his version of the life of Black Peter in theNew York Tribune.[2]