Brand Luther by Andrew Pettegree

Author:Andrew Pettegree
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

8.

THE REFORMATION IN THE CITIES

T IS TIME TO leave Wittenberg for a while, and to follow Luther (and his books) beyond the safe haven created by Elector Frederick in Electoral Saxony. This is where it would be tested how far Luther’s call for reform would fare in the wider world: the teeming, gossipy public arenas of Germany’s bustling cities; the political maelstrom of its patchwork of princely states. The first indications of interest, indeed enthusiasm for Luther, had been extremely promising. But it was one thing to shout “death to the Romanists” in the excitement of an Imperial Diet; quite another to follow Wittenberg into effective schism, and undertake a root-and-branch renovation of the familiar practice of religion.

In this respect 1521, and the promulgation of the Edict of Worms, was a critical juncture. Up until 1521 it had been relatively safe to show an interest in Luther. Most would agree that whereas they might not accept his wilder pronouncements, there was plenty in the reform agenda with which they might feel sympathy. But after the imperial edict was published the issue was very different. To express support for Luther was to give comfort to a condemned heretic and outlaw.

This was especially tricky for those who had previously shown the most interest in Luther’s criticisms of the established order, the urban patriciate of the imperial free cities. These were circles in which Luther’s challenge to the pope had been widely discussed. But to pursue this agenda any further might prove extremely perilous. The cities cherished their political independence, but equally their governments were conscious that this could not be guaranteed. They were well aware that their neighbors among the territorial princes were always anxious to extend their power. In some places questions of authority and the rights of competing jurisdictions were still partially unresolved. Traditionally the cities looked to the emperor to uphold their cause in any attempts to impugn their rights. But the emperor had now spoken out against Luther; to defy him in this was to risk a terrible retribution.

So the city fathers were inclined to tread carefully. The choices they faced were difficult and dangerous, the prospects for the future uncertain. They could see the strength of the agitation raised by Luther’s cause. They could sense it as they walked the streets of the city (for this was an era when the rulers were not physically separated from the ruled, who had many opportunities to signal their discontent on the city’s crowded thoroughfares). They reacted with extreme nervousness when the public excitements threatened to get out of hand. They could see the evidence of the Reformation’s success in attracting public interest in the pamphlets piled up on the booksellers’ stalls. But the dangers of precipitate action on their part often outweighed the dangers of public agitation. Did the public excitement really represent the developing view of the community, or just a noisy minority? And what of the political dangers? The emperor had made his opinion of Luther all too clear.

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