Development of Lutherism 1521-46 - Luther's attitude to Extremism 1522-25 Flashcards
Who took Luther’s place at Wittenburg when he was in Wartburg castle?
Andrew Carlstadt and Gabriel Zwilling
What did Carlstadt and Zwilling do and what were their aims?
They wanted to speed up the reformation and began offering communion to the Laity(normal ppl) and supported clerical marriage.
What reputation did Wittenburg get?
A reputation for extremism
How did the reputation of Wittenburg worsen, who came in December 1521?
What message did they have?
The Zwickau Prophets arrived who had been radicalised and spread messages of extremism. E.g unmarried priests were to be slain
What did Zwilling introduce which increased the reputation of extremism?
Iconoclasm (destruction of religious images as they are ‘heretic’)
What year did Luther return to Wittenburg and what were his aims?
He returned in 1522 trying to prevent bloodshed if Frederick had to use fire to deal with the extremism.
What did Luther do in response to the extremism of Carlstadt and Zwilling?
He insisted on a slow cautious change and the Prophets expelled and Carlstadt expelled from the university
However did accept some changes such as clerical marriage
What were the consequences of Luther’s actions against Carlstadt and the prophets?
- made it clear he believed change was slow and opposed extremism.
When was Knights revolt, why did it happen, who was involved?
1522-23. Knights used to be very powerful but now were disregarded and unimportant. They were influenced by Luther’s ‘ideas’ and led by Franz Von Sickingen they targeted the city of Trier. Attack failed completely as archbishop didn’t surrender and got help from the Princes
What was Luther’s reaction to the Knights revolt of 1522-23 what did this imply?
He hadn’t been involved in the Knights war it was carried out in his name. He stayed very silent and did not react whatsoever. This implied he agreed with the Knights and was hostile to princely authority.
When was the peasants revolt and why did it happen/who was involved?
From 1524-25 there was widespread anger from peasants violence finally erupted.
- Local uprisings started n south west and spread eventually armies of peasants were roaming the countryside. No leadership only universal symbol of peasant shoe.
What were the causes of the revolt?
- Hard life for peasants : Enclosure taxation
- Also fuelled by religious change, Lutheran priests aided
- Luther himself was a cause. His writings were misinterpreted due to his violent and aggressive tone.
- Woodcuts also circulated depicting Luther as the holy spirit
- However Luther wasn’t solely to blame as anti-clericalism was deep rooted far before 1517 and land lords had exploited peasants for a very long time.
What was Luther’s reaction to the Peasant revolt 1524-25?
At first was sympathetic but then released pamphlet asking for calm.
- In April 1525 he toured in attempt to pacify peasants didnt work at all
- Luther said authority could execute without trial and God was on their side. Princes crushed peasants with Swabian league
How did the revolt end?
Princes crushed peasants with Swabian league
What was the consequences of “Against the robbing and murdering hordes of peasants” pamphlet.
Luther was seen as a traitor and his pamphlet shocked close supporters. Lost mass support. However he won princely support and led authorities to begin imposing reform.
