| Martin Luther, the German: An Inside Glimpse of the Man |
Martin Luther, 1483 - 1546, was the son of a prosperous miner. He was born in Eisleben, Thuringia,
a province noted for its many musicians even up to the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. Luther
brought 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 would establish 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.
a province noted for its many musicians even up to the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. Luther
brought 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 would establish 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 was forty-two years old when he married Katharina and she twenty-six. They were married
for twenty years and blessed with six children. 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.
for twenty years and blessed with six children. 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.
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. 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. Luther and Katherine's happy home was noted for its liveliness.
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. 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. Luther and Katherine's happy home was noted for its liveliness.
| Luther, the Everyday Genius |
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 such as drinking. 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 such as drinking. 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.
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. After the Reformation the monastery was secularized and then
occupied by a school, a library, an orphanage, and a government assembly hall for
the next three centuries until the church was restored and reconsecrated in 1851.
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. After the Reformation the monastery was secularized and then
occupied by a school, a library, an orphanage, and a government assembly hall for
the next three centuries until the church was restored and reconsecrated in 1851.
About Heaven Above to Earth I Come (Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her): The words of the 15
verse hymn were written by Luther for his five year old son. He originally used the melody of an old
tavern song "Ich komm aus fremden Landen her" for his words. 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 tune to which
Luther's Christmas hymn is sung to this day which is similar to the original. It is also interesting to
note that Shakespeare would put his characters Hamlet and Horatio as students in Wittenberg.
verse hymn were written by Luther for his five year old son. He originally used the melody of an old
tavern song "Ich komm aus fremden Landen her" for his words. 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 tune to which
Luther's Christmas hymn is sung to this day which is similar to the original. It is also interesting to
note that Shakespeare would put his characters Hamlet and Horatio as students in Wittenberg.
| The Diet of Worms |
Pope Leo X had issued a Papal Bull the previous year demanding that Luther retract 41 of his 95
theses, and Luther was summoned to appear before the Imperial Diet by Friedrich III, the Elector of
Saxony, who agreed beforehand that Luther should appear to renounce or reaffirm his views if
guaranteed safe passage. Luther complied, but although he apologized for the bluntness of his
writing, he could and would not reject the ideas behind them. Before a decision was reached, he left
Worms and during his return to Wittenberg, he vanished.
theses, and Luther was summoned to appear before the Imperial Diet by Friedrich III, the Elector of
Saxony, who agreed beforehand that Luther should appear to renounce or reaffirm his views if
guaranteed safe passage. Luther complied, but although he apologized for the bluntness of his
writing, he could and would not reject the ideas behind them. Before a decision was reached, he left
Worms and during his return to Wittenberg, he vanished.
The Diet of Worms, and 100 other Diets, took place in the magnificent High
Romanesque Dom St. Peter, c. 1132. Balthasar Neumann later designed the
opulent baroque high altar. Worms, south of Frankfurt, is the oldest city in
Germany and was the location for much of the saga of the Nibelungen.
Originally a Celtic settlement called Borbetomagus, it and was captured and
fortified by the Romans before becoming the capital of the first kingdom of
Burgundy in the 5th century.
Romanesque Dom St. Peter, c. 1132. Balthasar Neumann later designed the
opulent baroque high altar. Worms, south of Frankfurt, is the oldest city in
Germany and was the location for much of the saga of the Nibelungen.
Originally a Celtic settlement called Borbetomagus, it and was captured and
fortified by the Romans before becoming the capital of the first kingdom of
Burgundy in the 5th century.
| The Martin Luther Fan Club |
Argula von Grumbach was branded as a "heretical bitch" and a "wretched whore and pathetic
daughter of Eve." She is one of the first women whose writings were published in defense of
Luther and the Reformation. Argula von Grumbach was born around 1492 at Burg Ehrenfels bei
Hemau into the noble Bavarian family von Stauff. Her father gave her the German Koberger
Bible in German when she was 10 years old which influenced her life greatly. She had a stormy
youth, losing both parents to the plague in 1509 and having to go live with an uncle (he was later
tortured and executed) in 1516 in the court of Bavaria. It is here she met her husband.
daughter of Eve." She is one of the first women whose writings were published in defense of
Luther and the Reformation. Argula von Grumbach was born around 1492 at Burg Ehrenfels bei
Hemau into the noble Bavarian family von Stauff. Her father gave her the German Koberger
Bible in German when she was 10 years old which influenced her life greatly. She had a stormy
youth, losing both parents to the plague in 1509 and having to go live with an uncle (he was later
tortured and executed) in 1516 in the court of Bavaria. It is here she met her husband.
Argula wrote a letter in defense of Arsacius Seehofer, a young student at the University of Ingolstadt who had publicly
supported the teachings of Luther. In order to escape execution, Seehofer was forced to revoke his teachings with a
public confession. On September 20, 1523, she wrote a letter of protest to the university, asking that a debate be held in
German. This private letter ended up being published in 14 editions and spread far and wide. It was a "best seller."
Then, she commenced a letter writing campaign to the leading princes of the empire, calling for reformation and an end to
censorship. It has still not yet come.
supported the teachings of Luther. In order to escape execution, Seehofer was forced to revoke his teachings with a
public confession. On September 20, 1523, she wrote a letter of protest to the university, asking that a debate be held in
German. This private letter ended up being published in 14 editions and spread far and wide. It was a "best seller."
Then, she commenced a letter writing campaign to the leading princes of the empire, calling for reformation and an end to
censorship. It has still not yet come.
Luther's wife Katharine von Bora was born in 1499 near Leipzig at
Lippendorf, the daughter of an impoverished nobleman. In 1504, she
went to the convent school of the Benedictine order in Brehna near
Halle and entered the convent. Later, she escaped from her convent
with other nuns by hiding in a fish barrel. Katharine was 16 years
younger, but was assertive and Luther often joked about his "Mr
Katharin."
Lippendorf, the daughter of an impoverished nobleman. In 1504, she
went to the convent school of the Benedictine order in Brehna near
Halle and entered the convent. Later, she escaped from her convent
with other nuns by hiding in a fish barrel. Katharine was 16 years
younger, but was assertive and Luther often joked about his "Mr
Katharin."
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, having lived a long life by the
standards of the day. His servant thought she had given him a tankard of beer
poisoned by his enemies the day before his sudden death. Luther's death mask
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, having lived a long life by the
standards of the day. His servant thought she had given him a tankard of beer
poisoned by his enemies the day before his sudden death. Luther's death mask
The City was burned in the Thirty Years War and rebuilt. Annexed by France in 1797, it was passed
to Hesse-Darmstadt at the Congress of Vienna. Worms was occupied by the French after World War
I and would again, with all of Luther's land, be under siege in World War Two and sadly destroyed.
to Hesse-Darmstadt at the Congress of Vienna. Worms was occupied by the French after World War
I and would again, with all of Luther's land, be under siege in World War Two and sadly destroyed.
It was a foregone conclusion that, despite the agreement for safe passage, Luther would be arrested,
so Friedrich had him seized after his departure and hidden away for three years in Wartburg Castle
in Eisenach. Luther was declared an outlaw and a heretic by the Edict of Worms issued by the
Emperor on May 25, 1521 and his writings were banned. It also stated that he could be murdered
without consequences to the assassin. The Edict of Worms was never enforced because by the time
he was out of hiding, he had gained so much public support.
so Friedrich had him seized after his departure and hidden away for three years in Wartburg Castle
in Eisenach. Luther was declared an outlaw and a heretic by the Edict of Worms issued by the
Emperor on May 25, 1521 and his writings were banned. It also stated that he could be murdered
without consequences to the assassin. The Edict of Worms was never enforced because by the time
he was out of hiding, he had gained so much public support.
The Holy Roman Empire estates held a general assembly from January 28 to May 25,1521 in
Worms, a small town on the Rhine. Commonly referred to as the Diet of Worms, it was presided
over by the Emperor Charles V, and is most memorable for addressing Martin Luther and the effects
of the Protestant Reformation. But Worms had an established history in the Holy Roman Empire.
Worms, a small town on the Rhine. Commonly referred to as the Diet of Worms, it was presided
over by the Emperor Charles V, and is most memorable for addressing Martin Luther and the effects
of the Protestant Reformation. But Worms had an established history in the Holy Roman Empire.
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. Shortly after Luther's death,in June of 1546, the
Schmalkaldic War broke out. The following year Wittenberg was in a panic and Katharina fled with
her family to Magdeburg. When she returned in June of 1547, all was in ruins. Armies had used the
roads along her farms and her animals were gone and the buildings were burned to the ground. She
was forced to go into debt and had to borrow 1,000 gulden to rebuild. She took in student boarders
for income. She died in poverty on December 20, 1552 in Torgau where she had fled to from the
plague in Wittenberg.
Schmalkaldic War broke out. The following year Wittenberg was in a panic and Katharina fled with
her family to Magdeburg. When she returned in June of 1547, all was in ruins. Armies had used the
roads along her farms and her animals were gone and the buildings were burned to the ground. She
was forced to go into debt and had to borrow 1,000 gulden to rebuild. She took in student boarders
for income. She died in poverty on December 20, 1552 in Torgau where she had fled to from the
plague in Wittenberg.
| "It is not the cure,but the physician who prescribes it that I dislike," said the Archbishop of Salzburg, who had been peculiarly bitter against the Reformers. "I would oblige the laity with the cup, and the priests with wives, and all with a little more liberty as regards meats, nor am I opposed to some reformation of the mass; but that it should be a monk, a poor Augustine, who presumes to reform us all, is what I cannot get over." Spoken of Luther 1530, Diet of Worms |
She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Kunigunde when she married Catholic Friedrich von Grumbach, with whom she had
four children, all of whom she raised as Protestants despite her husband's faith. After he died, she remarried.
four children, all of whom she raised as Protestants despite her husband's faith. After he died, she remarried.
Argula met with and conducted an extensive correspondence with Luther, Osiander, and many other leading reformers,
princes and influential personages. She is known to have authored several letters and eight pamphlets in defense of the
Reformation, the first of which was published in sixteen editions in which her excellent knowledge of scripture is displayed.
Seven other writings followed the first pamphlet and it is estimated that 30,000 copies of her eight writings were
circulating throughout the Holy Roman Empire within two years. Her writings brought her to the height of controversy in
1523 and 1524, yet her own strong revulsion toward censorship was such that she included even letters critical of her in
her writings. She died around 1554.
princes and influential personages. She is known to have authored several letters and eight pamphlets in defense of the
Reformation, the first of which was published in sixteen editions in which her excellent knowledge of scripture is displayed.
Seven other writings followed the first pamphlet and it is estimated that 30,000 copies of her eight writings were
circulating throughout the Holy Roman Empire within two years. Her writings brought her to the height of controversy in
1523 and 1524, yet her own strong revulsion toward censorship was such that she included even letters critical of her in
her writings. She died around 1554.
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, or
Reichsstände, assembled at Worms in August of 1495 and proclaimed the
Perpetual Peace, or Immerwährenden Landfrieden, which outlawed private justice.
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, or
Reichsstände, assembled at Worms in August of 1495 and proclaimed the
Perpetual Peace, or 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, or 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, or Reichsstand, would have had to send troops. It also mandated the common
penny, or Reichspfennig, and a new head tax to finance this army. The concept of the
Reichskammergericht anticipated the constitutional basis of civil liberties in Germany.
culminated in a type of supreme court, the Imperial Chamber, or 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, or Reichsstand, would have had to send troops. It also mandated the common
penny, or Reichspfennig, and a new head tax to finance this army. The concept of the
Reichskammergericht anticipated the constitutional basis of civil liberties in Germany.
Cranach obliged him enthusiastically with decorative initials and 117 woodcuts. 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.
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.
In Wittenberg, Luther lived only a few doors away from two of the greatest German
painters of the day, Lucius Cranach (1472-1553) and his son. When Luther published
treatises and encouraged people to see the papacy as evil, he knew words were not
sufficient and he asked Lucas Cranach to do a series of inflammatory woodcuts which
Luther wrote verses for.
painters of the day, Lucius Cranach (1472-1553) and his son. When Luther published
treatises and encouraged people to see the papacy as evil, he knew words were not
sufficient and he asked Lucas Cranach to do a series of inflammatory woodcuts which
Luther wrote verses for.
| 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.
On January 21, 1530, Emperor Karl V called for an imperial diet
to meet in Augsburg in April of that year. He desired a united
empire against the Turks and intended that all religious disunity
come to an end. At first it was Friedrich the Wise, the Elector of
Saxony and Luther's prince who requested that the Wittenberg
theologians write a statement of the churches' beliefs of his land.
to meet in Augsburg in April of that year. He desired a united
empire against the Turks and intended that all religious disunity
come to an end. At first it was Friedrich the Wise, the Elector of
Saxony and Luther's prince who requested that the Wittenberg
theologians write a statement of the churches' beliefs of his land.