Martin Luther took his vows as a monk and lived in the Augustinerkloster in
Erfurt from 1505 to 1511. The monastery dated back to the 13th Century
when Augustinian monks settled in Erfurt. The Augustinerkloster was a
respected center of Catholic learning with a theological college and an
extensive library of books and manuscripts.
Erfurt from 1505 to 1511. The monastery dated back to the 13th Century
when Augustinian monks settled in Erfurt. The Augustinerkloster was a
respected center of Catholic learning with a theological college and an
extensive library of books and manuscripts.
| January 21, 1530 The Augsburg Confession |
But at Augsburg, rather than just a Saxon confession, the princes and cities that held to Luther's
teachings decided to make a common confession. It was determined in a document made under the
preparation of Philipp Melanchthon with the consultation of Luther, who was not present, to include
agreements along with differences and make it clear that the Lutherans did not want to be identified
with other opponents of the Roman Church. The Confession was completed and signed by seven
princes and the representatives of two free cities and delivered to the Emperor on June 25, 1530.
teachings decided to make a common confession. It was determined in a document made under the
preparation of Philipp Melanchthon with the consultation of Luther, who was not present, to include
agreements along with differences and make it clear that the Lutherans did not want to be identified
with other opponents of the Roman Church. The Confession was completed and signed by seven
princes and the representatives of two free cities and delivered to the Emperor on June 25, 1530.
Emperor Karl V called for an imperial diet to meet in Augsburg in April of 1530 for two reasons. He
desired a united empire against the Turks and intended that all religious disunity come to an end at
the inspiration of Friedrich the Wise who requested that the Wittenberg theologians write a statement
of the churches' beliefs of his land.
desired a united empire against the Turks and intended that all religious disunity come to an end at
the inspiration of Friedrich the Wise who requested that the Wittenberg theologians write a statement
of the churches' beliefs of his land.
1505 Luther became a Monk. Hans Luther wanted his eldest son Martin to become a lawyer, and he
sent Martin to Latin schools in Mansfeld, then Magdeburg in 1497 and Eisenach in 1498. In 1501, at
the age of nineteen, he entered the University of Erfurt, receiving his master's degree in 1505. Luther
enrolled in law school that same year but left after a religious revelation during a bad thunderstorm.
He sold his books and entered an Augustinian friary in Erfurt in July, 1505. In 1507, he was ordained
to the priesthood, and in 1508 began teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg. He received a
Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies in March, 1508, and another Bachelor's degree in 1509.
sent Martin to Latin schools in Mansfeld, then Magdeburg in 1497 and Eisenach in 1498. In 1501, at
the age of nineteen, he entered the University of Erfurt, receiving his master's degree in 1505. Luther
enrolled in law school that same year but left after a religious revelation during a bad thunderstorm.
He sold his books and entered an Augustinian friary in Erfurt in July, 1505. In 1507, he was ordained
to the priesthood, and in 1508 began teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg. He received a
Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies in March, 1508, and another Bachelor's degree in 1509.
1512 Luther became a Doctor of Theology in Wittenberg. He was then received into the senate of
the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg, having been called to the position of Doctor in
Bible. After a journey to Rome, Luther returned appalled by the immorality, ignorance and greed of
the Roman priests. His superior, Johann von Staupitz, directed Luther to earn a doctorate in theology
at the local University of Wittenburg where Luther studied intensely and flourished.
the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg, having been called to the position of Doctor in
Bible. After a journey to Rome, Luther returned appalled by the immorality, ignorance and greed of
the Roman priests. His superior, Johann von Staupitz, directed Luther to earn a doctorate in theology
at the local University of Wittenburg where Luther studied intensely and flourished.
| A Timeline of Martin Luther's Life |
1483 Martin Luther was born on November 10 in Eisleben, Thuringia, one of the oldest towns
between the Harz mountains and the river Elbe in Saxony. Eisleben was first officially recorded in
994 AD and was granted a town charter in the 12th century. The town grew in importance in the
15th and 16th centuries, mainly due to the copper mining and smelting industry in the territories of
the once powerful Counts of Mansfeld. Luther's family moved to Mansfeld in 1484, where his father
was a leaseholder of copper mines and smelters and his mother Margarethe a hard-working woman
of "trading-class stock and middling means". Martin was one of several children.
between the Harz mountains and the river Elbe in Saxony. Eisleben was first officially recorded in
994 AD and was granted a town charter in the 12th century. The town grew in importance in the
15th and 16th centuries, mainly due to the copper mining and smelting industry in the territories of
the once powerful Counts of Mansfeld. Luther's family moved to Mansfeld in 1484, where his father
was a leaseholder of copper mines and smelters and his mother Margarethe a hard-working woman
of "trading-class stock and middling means". Martin was one of several children.
October 31, 1517 Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church.
In 1517, Pope Leo X decreed new indulgences to be sold in Saxony (to help
finance the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome) by Dominican monk John
Tetzel. Some of Tetzel's customers were Luther's poorer parishioners. Luther
authored 95 statements in Latin against the practice of selling indulgences and
nailed it to the door of the church in Wittenburg, intending it for the benefit of his
university colleagues. It was a common method of initiating scholarly debate.
In 1517, Pope Leo X decreed new indulgences to be sold in Saxony (to help
finance the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome) by Dominican monk John
Tetzel. Some of Tetzel's customers were Luther's poorer parishioners. Luther
authored 95 statements in Latin against the practice of selling indulgences and
nailed it to the door of the church in Wittenburg, intending it for the benefit of his
university colleagues. It was a common method of initiating scholarly debate.
However, the Theses were translated into German by those in agreement with his views, and liberally
disseminated all over Saxony by means of Guttenberg's new printing press. When the Pope himself
received a copy, he is said to have asked what drunken German monk wrote them.
disseminated all over Saxony by means of Guttenberg's new printing press. When the Pope himself
received a copy, he is said to have asked what drunken German monk wrote them.
In 1522 Luther Returned to Wittenberg. When Luther re-entered Wittenberg on March 7, to his
horror as a man who hated war, bloodshed and violence, anarchy reigned as the new religious ideas
spawned violence and rebellion all around him. The Peasants' War from 1524 to 1525 was in many
ways an unintended response to the preaching of Luther's and the other reformers. The printing press
saw to it that his pamphlets were spread throughout Germany. Luther, however, maintained his
"cool" and continued working. He set forth new forms of church service, and in 1524 the first
Wittenberg hymnal first appeared with four of his own hymns.
horror as a man who hated war, bloodshed and violence, anarchy reigned as the new religious ideas
spawned violence and rebellion all around him. The Peasants' War from 1524 to 1525 was in many
ways an unintended response to the preaching of Luther's and the other reformers. The printing press
saw to it that his pamphlets were spread throughout Germany. Luther, however, maintained his
"cool" and continued working. He set forth new forms of church service, and in 1524 the first
Wittenberg hymnal first appeared with four of his own hymns.
In 1546, on February 18, Luther died in Eisleben
When an imperial diet of the Holy Roman Empire was due to be held in Augsburg, the Pope had two
major requests: firstly, to convince the German princes to support a crusade against the Turks and,
secondarily, to meet with Luther and convince him to recant. When he assumed that arrest would
follow if he refused to recant, Luther escaped by night and returned to Wittenburg. Since the Pope
did not wish to alienate Luther's wealthy prince, Friedrich the Wise, a sort of truce was arranged in
which Luther agreed to abstain from further controversy. He did not. Instead, over the next couple
of years, Luther participated in debates and arguments and managed to inspire several followers. One
such debate in Leipzig in July of 1519 was extraordinarily successful. Luther now spent his time
developing ideas, teaching, and writing such influential tracts as the 'Address to the German Nobility',
'On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church', and 'Freedom of a Christian'.
major requests: firstly, to convince the German princes to support a crusade against the Turks and,
secondarily, to meet with Luther and convince him to recant. When he assumed that arrest would
follow if he refused to recant, Luther escaped by night and returned to Wittenburg. Since the Pope
did not wish to alienate Luther's wealthy prince, Friedrich the Wise, a sort of truce was arranged in
which Luther agreed to abstain from further controversy. He did not. Instead, over the next couple
of years, Luther participated in debates and arguments and managed to inspire several followers. One
such debate in Leipzig in July of 1519 was extraordinarily successful. Luther now spent his time
developing ideas, teaching, and writing such influential tracts as the 'Address to the German Nobility',
'On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church', and 'Freedom of a Christian'.
Between 1524 and 1545 alone, Luther composed and compiled nine
hymnals. The melodies found in these books were a mixture of Latin
hymns, popular religious songs, and secular tunes recast in a religious
context. Others were Medieval melodies of the Minnesingers and
Meistersingers. He was an accomplished Lute player and one of the
most important German composers prior to Bach.
hymnals. The melodies found in these books were a mixture of Latin
hymns, popular religious songs, and secular tunes recast in a religious
context. Others were Medieval melodies of the Minnesingers and
Meistersingers. He was an accomplished Lute player and one of the
most important German composers prior to Bach.
It is not easy to visualize Luther with a tankard of beer, maybe laughing heartily at an off-color joke,
but Luther didn't disapprove of such human folly. When a young man once wrote to him
complaining of despair, Luther advised him get drunk, remarking how that was what he did for a
remedy. Luther also liked sex, and felt that a woman had the right to take on a lover if her husband
didn't satisfy her in bed. Yet he was bitterly opposed to hunting, and when he was hiding at the castle
of Wartburg, he refused to take part in the customary rabbit hunting, and it is there that a rabbit ran
up his leg to escape dogs who, in a frenzy, bit through his clothes to kill it, disgusting Luther.
but Luther didn't disapprove of such human folly. When a young man once wrote to him
complaining of despair, Luther advised him get drunk, remarking how that was what he did for a
remedy. Luther also liked sex, and felt that a woman had the right to take on a lover if her husband
didn't satisfy her in bed. Yet he was bitterly opposed to hunting, and when he was hiding at the castle
of Wartburg, he refused to take part in the customary rabbit hunting, and it is there that a rabbit ran
up his leg to escape dogs who, in a frenzy, bit through his clothes to kill it, disgusting Luther.
Luther was forty-two years old when he married twenty-six year old
former nun Katharina von Bora. They were married for twenty years
and blessed with six children. Luther was paid no wage, and took no
payment for his services. With six children, he learned wood working
in order to support his family. He was also an avid gardener. They
grew much of their own food in a small garden at the Black Cloister
and later at a farm outside Wittenberg.
former nun Katharina von Bora. They were married for twenty years
and blessed with six children. Luther was paid no wage, and took no
payment for his services. With six children, he learned wood working
in order to support his family. He was also an avid gardener. They
grew much of their own food in a small garden at the Black Cloister
and later at a farm outside Wittenberg.
Luther had gone to Mansfeld to settle a dispute among the princes. On the return
journey he became ill and stopped to rest in Eisleben, the town of his birth almost
63 years earlier. There he died in the morning hours of February 18, 1546 among
friends and his three sons, in the house where he was born. He lived a long life by
the standards of the day. His servant thought that a tankard of beer she had given
him the day before his sudden death might have been poisoned. Death mask, right
journey he became ill and stopped to rest in Eisleben, the town of his birth almost
63 years earlier. There he died in the morning hours of February 18, 1546 among
friends and his three sons, in the house where he was born. He lived a long life by
the standards of the day. His servant thought that a tankard of beer she had given
him the day before his sudden death might have been poisoned. Death mask, right
The Death of a "Heretic"... Martin Luther often said "I expect daily the death of a heretic." Defying
the Catholic Church was risky business and often his life was in great danger. During the last three
years of his life, Luther had suffered from several infirmities, but no one felt that the end was near.
the Catholic Church was risky business and often his life was in great danger. During the last three
years of his life, Luther had suffered from several infirmities, but no one felt that the end was near.
Katherine outlived her husband by six years. She died in Torgau in poverty on December 20, 1552,
after fleeing from the plague in Wittenberg.
after fleeing from the plague in Wittenberg.
October 10, 1520 Luther received a papal bull demanding that he recant or face excommunication.
Friedrich the Wise of Saxony refused to execute the papal bull ordering that Luther be restrained and
that his writings be burned. Luther responded to the Bull by publicly casting it into a bonfire.
Friedrich the Wise of Saxony refused to execute the papal bull ordering that Luther be restrained and
that his writings be burned. Luther responded to the Bull by publicly casting it into a bonfire.
January 22, 1521 Luther was summoned to the imperial Diet of Worms with, at Friedrich the Wise's
insistence, an imperial guarantee of safe-conduct to ensure his passage.
insistence, an imperial guarantee of safe-conduct to ensure his passage.
On the next day, answering the same questions, Luther said: "They are all mine, but as for the
second question, they are not all of one sort." Luther went on to say that some of the works were
well received by even his enemies. These he would not reject. A second class of the books was
aimed at the abuses, deception and desolation of the Christian world. These also could not be
rejected. The third group contained attacks on individuals. While he apologized for the tone of these
writings, he could not reject their substance unless he could be shown from the Scriptures that he
was in error. When Eck finally demanded that Luther simply answer the question of whether or not
he would reject his books and the errors they contain, Luther replied: "Unless I am convicted by
Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have
contradicted each other. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant
anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe." "Here I stand. I can do no other.
God help me. Amen."
second question, they are not all of one sort." Luther went on to say that some of the works were
well received by even his enemies. These he would not reject. A second class of the books was
aimed at the abuses, deception and desolation of the Christian world. These also could not be
rejected. The third group contained attacks on individuals. While he apologized for the tone of these
writings, he could not reject their substance unless he could be shown from the Scriptures that he
was in error. When Eck finally demanded that Luther simply answer the question of whether or not
he would reject his books and the errors they contain, Luther replied: "Unless I am convicted by
Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have
contradicted each other. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant
anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe." "Here I stand. I can do no other.
God help me. Amen."
Before a decision was reached as to his fate, Luther left Worms,
disappearing during his return to Wittenberg. For Luther's safety, his
prince, Friedrich the Wise, had arranged for Luther to be seized on his
way from the Diet by a company of masked horsemen, who carried him
to Wartburg Castle at Eisenach where he would be out of harm's way.
disappearing during his return to Wittenberg. For Luther's safety, his
prince, Friedrich the Wise, had arranged for Luther to be seized on his
way from the Diet by a company of masked horsemen, who carried him
to Wartburg Castle at Eisenach where he would be out of harm's way.
Luther attended the Diet. Johann Eck, assistant to the Archbishop of Trier and acting spokesman for
the Emperor, presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings on April 16th. Eck asked
Luther if the books were his and if he still believed what these works taught, to which Luther asked
for time to think about his answer. This was granted.
the Emperor, presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings on April 16th. Eck asked
Luther if the books were his and if he still believed what these works taught, to which Luther asked
for time to think about his answer. This was granted.
May 25, 1521, the Edict of Worms declared Luther an
outlaw and a heretic, banning his literature. The Edict of
Worms was never enforced because by the time he was
out of hiding, he had gained too much public support.
Luther stayed in Wartburg Castle, right, for about a year.
He remained in his study hidden from public view, grew a
beard and took on the alias "Knight George". He worked
on his translation of the Bible into German, and the New
Testament was printed in German in September of 1522.
outlaw and a heretic, banning his literature. The Edict of
Worms was never enforced because by the time he was
out of hiding, he had gained too much public support.
Luther stayed in Wartburg Castle, right, for about a year.
He remained in his study hidden from public view, grew a
beard and took on the alias "Knight George". He worked
on his translation of the Bible into German, and the New
Testament was printed in German in September of 1522.
It is probable that without the support of Friedrich der Weise, Luther
wound not have achieved success. Friedrich succeeded his father as the
elector of Saxony in 1486. Intellectually curious, in 1502 he founded the
university of Wittenberg where he appointed Luther and Melanchthon to
professorships. Although throughout life he remained a member of the
Catholic faith, he sympathized with the reformers.
wound not have achieved success. Friedrich succeeded his father as the
elector of Saxony in 1486. Intellectually curious, in 1502 he founded the
university of Wittenberg where he appointed Luther and Melanchthon to
professorships. Although throughout life he remained a member of the
Catholic faith, he sympathized with the reformers.
Above: Friedrich the Wise died in 1525. He was an early patron of Albrecht Durer, the artist
The Holy Roman Empire estates held a general assembly presided over by the
Emperor Karl V from January 28 to May 25,1521 in Worms, a small town on the
Rhine with an established history in the Holy Roman Empire. Maximilian I, like
other Holy Roman Emperors, faced struggles with other powerful princes in the
empire and he secured his position and the imperial monarchy by furthering
centralisation.
Emperor Karl V from January 28 to May 25,1521 in Worms, a small town on the
Rhine with an established history in the Holy Roman Empire. Maximilian I, like
other Holy Roman Emperors, faced struggles with other powerful princes in the
empire and he secured his position and the imperial monarchy by furthering
centralisation.
To combat the anarchy of robber barons and the lawlessness of prevailing territorial feuds, the
Estates of the Empire (Reichsstände) assembled at Worms in August of 1495 and proclaimed the
Perpetual Peace (Immerwährenden Landfrieden) which outlawed private justice. After this date, all
criminal and civil claims had to be pursued through a court system which culminated in a type of
supreme court, the Imperial Chamber (Reichskammergericht) that was established as a court of last
appeal. Whoever ignored the Peace was outlawed and could be killed the with impunity. It defined a
new standing imperial army to enforce that Peace, to which each imperial estate (Reichsstand) would
have had to send troops. It also mandated the common penny (Reichspfennig) and a new head tax to
finance this army. The idea of the Reichskammergericht anticipated the constitutional basis of civil
liberties in Germany.
Estates of the Empire (Reichsstände) assembled at Worms in August of 1495 and proclaimed the
Perpetual Peace (Immerwährenden Landfrieden) which outlawed private justice. After this date, all
criminal and civil claims had to be pursued through a court system which culminated in a type of
supreme court, the Imperial Chamber (Reichskammergericht) that was established as a court of last
appeal. Whoever ignored the Peace was outlawed and could be killed the with impunity. It defined a
new standing imperial army to enforce that Peace, to which each imperial estate (Reichsstand) would
have had to send troops. It also mandated the common penny (Reichspfennig) and a new head tax to
finance this army. The idea of the Reichskammergericht anticipated the constitutional basis of civil
liberties in Germany.
The Diet of Worms and 100 other Diets took place in the magnificent High Romanesque Dom St.
Peter, c. 1132. with an opulent baroque high altar later designed by Balthasar Neumann. Worms,
south of Frankfurt, is the oldest city in Germany and was the location for much of the saga of the
Nibelungen. Originally the Celtic settlement of Borbetomagus, it was captured and fortified by the
Romans before becoming capital of the first kingdom of Burgundy in the 5th century.
Peter, c. 1132. with an opulent baroque high altar later designed by Balthasar Neumann. Worms,
south of Frankfurt, is the oldest city in Germany and was the location for much of the saga of the
Nibelungen. Originally the Celtic settlement of Borbetomagus, it was captured and fortified by the
Romans before becoming capital of the first kingdom of Burgundy in the 5th century.
In 1525, Luther married ex-nun Katharina von Bora and they raised a family.
Not only did the Luthers have six children of their own, but also one of Katharine's relatives, and,
after 1529, six of Luther's sister's children. They also housed students in his home to help the
family's financial plight. For recreation the Luthers enjoyed a bowling game in their garden, board
games and music. They had pets, including a dog. Their happy home was noted for its liveliness.
after 1529, six of Luther's sister's children. They also housed students in his home to help the
family's financial plight. For recreation the Luthers enjoyed a bowling game in their garden, board
games and music. They had pets, including a dog. Their happy home was noted for its liveliness.
In 1534, Luther published the complete Bible in German. Luther revised and completed the Bible in
1534 with the help of the Wittenberg scholars Philipp Melanchthon, Justus Jonas, and Caspar
Cruciger. This Bible is one of Luther's greatest linguistic accomplishments. He first translated into
German the New Testament in 1522 and the Old Testament in 1534.
1534 with the help of the Wittenberg scholars Philipp Melanchthon, Justus Jonas, and Caspar
Cruciger. This Bible is one of Luther's greatest linguistic accomplishments. He first translated into
German the New Testament in 1522 and the Old Testament in 1534.
Thuringia is a province noted for its many musicians even up to the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Luther would bring about sweeping reforms in the German church with music as well as theology.
His mother loved to sing, and as a child he was trained to become a Kurrende singer, a chorus that
went from house to house singing for weddings and funerals. Luther saw music as a gift from God
and he eventually established the practice of congregational singing of the Mass as a regular means of
worship and he set about developing church music into having have a true musical German character.
Luther would bring about sweeping reforms in the German church with music as well as theology.
His mother loved to sing, and as a child he was trained to become a Kurrende singer, a chorus that
went from house to house singing for weddings and funerals. Luther saw music as a gift from God
and he eventually established the practice of congregational singing of the Mass as a regular means of
worship and he set about developing church music into having have a true musical German character.
The words of the 15 verse hymn 'Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her' were written by Luther for
his five year old son, to the melody of an old tavern song "Ich komm aus fremden Landen her".
Saying that "the devil does not need all the good tunes for himself," earthy Martin Luther formed this
Christmas hymn out of the melody of the drinking song. But, even after its religious "conversion," it
was still sung at dance halls and taverns, and so in 1551 Walther ejected it from the hymn-book,
replacing it by the similar tune to which Luther's Christmas hymn is sung to this day.
his five year old son, to the melody of an old tavern song "Ich komm aus fremden Landen her".
Saying that "the devil does not need all the good tunes for himself," earthy Martin Luther formed this
Christmas hymn out of the melody of the drinking song. But, even after its religious "conversion," it
was still sung at dance halls and taverns, and so in 1551 Walther ejected it from the hymn-book,
replacing it by the similar tune to which Luther's Christmas hymn is sung to this day.
Luther lived at a time of great change and danger. The bubonic plague, which had been a threat since
it first cut through the European population in 1347, returned periodically into the 16th century,
hitting Germany in 1527, 1535 and 1539 during Luther's ministry. Luther was a child when Spanish
ships reached the Caribbean in 1492, and soon after Europeans confronted the Aztec civilisation and
Portuguese adventurers discovered the southern route to India. As new trade routes were being
developed, societal changes took place. The Ottoman danger reared its head, and Renaissance
scholars had begun the direct study of classical Greek and Roman writings, rather than through
flawed Arabic translations. People were reevaluating religion. As if this were not enough to contend
with, for over 25 years Luther would live under a threat of being seized, tortured and burnt at the
stake as a heretic.
it first cut through the European population in 1347, returned periodically into the 16th century,
hitting Germany in 1527, 1535 and 1539 during Luther's ministry. Luther was a child when Spanish
ships reached the Caribbean in 1492, and soon after Europeans confronted the Aztec civilisation and
Portuguese adventurers discovered the southern route to India. As new trade routes were being
developed, societal changes took place. The Ottoman danger reared its head, and Renaissance
scholars had begun the direct study of classical Greek and Roman writings, rather than through
flawed Arabic translations. People were reevaluating religion. As if this were not enough to contend
with, for over 25 years Luther would live under a threat of being seized, tortured and burnt at the
stake as a heretic.