RELIGIOUS TENSIONS in the 1520S in This Way an Augsburg

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

RELIGIOUS TENSIONS in the 1520S in This Way an Augsburg CHAPTER TWO RELIGIOUS TENSIONS IN THE 1520S It amazes me that the poor Christians are persecuted in every way to such a degree. For a small ‘misbelief,’ a poor Christian must suffer . in the whole world, only the poor people are persecuted.1 In this way an Augsburg resident lamented the harassment religious dissidents faced in the 1520s. Georg Zeindelweber was an experienced soldier, guardian of the city’s arsenal, and he had seen the suffering of peasants and Anabaptists fi rsthand. Ironically, with all the weapons and skill at his disposal, even he was vulnerable to the contemporary fear of religious deviance. While individuals often coexisted peacefully despite differences, tensions fueled by the religious disputes of the early Reformation could also lead to confl icts with one’s neighbors or authorities. Like most places in the Empire, Augsburg experienced a rise in tensions in the 1520s due in part to the intensifying of religious disagreements. Combined with economic and social grievances, the reforming spirit led to a number of incidents that threatened to shake up both the spiritual and secular institutions of Augsburg. Several cases from the mid to late 1520s illustrate the presence of tension and confl ict between the citizens and their spiritual and secular authorities. For the most part, these incidents involved people protesting against authority fi gures, such as priests or the bishop’s offi cers and even occasionally the city council. As we see in a number of cases, the city council strived to keep the peace by suppressing the rebellious elements and mitigat- ing religious tensions without committing themselves to any particular type of reform. Regarding the impact of religious disunity on the city’s inhabitants, however, the most interesting incidents concern confl icts between Augsburg’s citizens. Both the government and populace attempted to go about business as usual, in spite of the potential for religious friction. 1 “in dem hette Zeugwart gesagt, es nem in wunder, das man sich allenthalben dermassen an die armen Christenn Richtet, Ettwan von ains klainen mißglaubens wegen mußt ain armes Christ herheben, in nome nur wunder an eine hern, und in der ganzen welt, so richt sich nur an die armen leut,” StadtAA, Reichsstadt, Urg. 12 June 1529, Peter Sölber. 46 chapter two Several of incidents in the mid 1520s illustrate the nature of religious rebellion directed against the spiritual and secular authorities in Augs- burg. The year 1524 saw a series of spectacular events in Augsburg. One of the earliest events took place in April, when Georg Näßlin’s servant splashed blood onto paintings and statues in the Cathedral of Our Lady.2 Näßlin anticipated being blamed and initially fl ed justice. When he eventually turned himself in he was interrogated three times over the course of four days, from 8 to 11 May. Despite undergoing torture Näßlin confessed only that he had known of his servant’s plans ahead of time but refused to admit that he had countenanced or par- ticipated in the iconoclastic plot in any way. The same day that Georg Näßlin turned himself in, a number of his friends were arrested for an incident at the Franciscan church. On 8 May 1524, a group of men and women, who had gathered in the church for Mass, confronted one of the friars who had arrived to bless the holy water in the font. When the friar refused to perform the bless- ing in the vernacular instead of the traditional Latin, a man grabbed the prayer book out of the friar’s hand and threw it into the basin of water. Another man retrieved the book, tried to tear it in two and, when the parchment would not tear, threw it back into the water. Other testimony confi rms this basic narrative with only negligible differences in the details. An interesting variation appears in one witness’s account, which claims that the women who were present had suggested throwing the friar himself into the water.3 Arriving shortly after the incident, one man asked the friars why they were not holding Mass, and they told him that they were afraid to go back into the church for fear of being injured.4 Going into the cloister the same witness, Sixtus Saur, asked the church’s lector,5 to convince the friars to say Mass, but that only led to another bitter argument between the lector, Johann Schilling, and the verger.6 The Franciscans’ verger, Herr Laurenz, declared that “the devil had brought [Schilling] into the cloister,” while the lector responded that “[Herr Laurenz] should thank God that many abuses 2 Georg Näßlin’s case is discussed in more detail in Chapter One. 3 StadtAA, Reichsstadt, Urg. 8–11 May 1524, Hans Beringer, Franz Lamenit, Bar- tholome Nußfelder, Ulrich Richsner, Sixt Saur, and Peter Scheppach. 4 Ibid., Sixt Saur. 5 The lector or reader is one who reads lessons in a church service. 6 The verger is the caretaker or attendant of a church..
Recommended publications
  • Climatic Variability in Sixteenth-Century Europe and Its Social Dimension: a Synthesis
    CLIMATIC VARIABILITY IN SIXTEENTH-CENTURY EUROPE AND ITS SOCIAL DIMENSION: A SYNTHESIS CHRISTIAN PFISTER', RUDOLF BRAzDIL2 IInstitute afHistory, University a/Bern, Unitobler, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland 2Department a/Geography, Masaryk University, Kotlar8M 2, CZ-61137 Bmo, Czech Republic Abstract. The introductory paper to this special issue of Climatic Change sununarizes the results of an array of studies dealing with the reconstruction of climatic trends and anomalies in sixteenth­ century Europe and their impact on the natural and the social world. Areas discussed include glacier expansion in the Alps, the frequency of natural hazards (floods in central and southem Europe and stonns on the Dutch North Sea coast), the impact of climate deterioration on grain prices and wine production, and finally, witch-hlllltS. The documentary data used for the reconstruction of seasonal and annual precipitation and temperatures in central Europe (Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic) include narrative sources, several types of proxy data and 32 weather diaries. Results were compared with long-tenn composite tree ring series and tested statistically by cross-correlating series of indices based OIl documentary data from the sixteenth century with those of simulated indices based on instrumental series (1901-1960). It was shown that series of indices can be taken as good substitutes for instrumental measurements. A corresponding set of weighted seasonal and annual series of temperature and precipitation indices for central Europe was computed from series of temperature and precipitation indices for Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, the weights being in proportion to the area of each country. The series of central European indices were then used to assess temperature and precipitation anomalies for the 1901-1960 period using trmlsfer functions obtained from instrumental records.
    [Show full text]
  • The Renaissance Workshop in Action
    The Renaissance Workshop in Action Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 1486–1530) ran the most successful and productive workshop in Florence in the 1510s and 1520s. Moving beyond the graceful harmony and elegance of elders and peers such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Fra Bartolommeo, he brought unprecedented naturalism and immediacy to his art through the rough and rustic use of red chalk. This exhibition looks behind the scenes and examines the artist’s entire creative process. The latest technology allows us to see beneath the surface of his paintings in order to appreciate the workshop activity involved. The exhibition also demonstrates studio tricks such as the reuse of drawings and motifs, while highlighting Andrea’s constant dazzling inventiveness. All works in the exhibition are by Andrea del Sarto. This exhibition has been co-organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Frick Collection, New York, in association with the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Florence. We acknowledge the generous support provided by an anonymous donation in memory of Melvin R. Seiden and by the Italian Cultural Institute. The J. Paul Getty Museum © 2014 J. Paul Getty Trust Rendering Reality In this room we focus on Andrea’s much-lauded naturalism and how his powerful drawn studies enabled him to transform everyday people into saints and Madonnas, and smirking children into angels. With the example of The Madonna of the Steps, we see his constant return to life drawing on paper—even after he had started painting—to ensure truth to nature. The J. Paul Getty Museum © 2014 J.
    [Show full text]
  • Medieval Population Dynamics to 1500
    Medieval Population Dynamics to 1500 Part C: the major population changes and demographic trends from 1250 to ca. 1520 European Population, 1000 - 1300 • (1) From the ‘Birth of Europe’ in the 10th century, Europe’s population more than doubled: from about 40 million to at least 80 million – and perhaps to as much as 100 million, by 1300 • (2) Since Europe was then very much underpopulated, such demographic growth was entirely positive: Law of Eventually Diminishing Returns • (3) Era of the ‘Commercial Revolution’, in which all sectors of the economy, led by commerce, expanded -- with significant urbanization and rising real incomes. Demographic Crises, 1300 – 1500 • From some time in the early 14th century, Europe’s population not only ceased to grow, but may have begun its long two-century downswing • Evidence of early 14th century decline • (i) Tuscany (Italy): best documented – 30% -40% population decline before the Black Death • (ii) Normandy (NW France) • (iii) Provence (SE France) • (iv) Essex, in East Anglia (eastern England) The Estimated Populations of Later Medieval and Early Modern Europe Estimates by J. C. Russell (red) and Jan de Vries (blue) Population of Florence (Tuscany) Date Estimated Urban Population 1300 120,000 1349 36,000? 1352 41, 600 1390 60,000 1427 37,144 1459 37,369 1469 40,332 1488 42,000 1526 (plague year) 70,000 Evidence of pre-Plague population decline in 14th century ESSEX Population Trends on Essex Manors The Great Famine: Malthusian Crisis? • (1) The ‘Great Famine’ of 1315-22 • (if we include the sheep
    [Show full text]
  • Swedish GDP 1300-1560 a Tentative Estimate Krantz, Olle
    Swedish GDP 1300-1560 A Tentative Estimate Krantz, Olle 2017 Document Version: Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Krantz, O. (2017). Swedish GDP 1300-1560: A Tentative Estimate. (Lund Papers in Economic History: General Issues; No. 152). Department of Economic History, Lund University. Total number of authors: 1 General rights Unless other specific re-use rights are stated the following general rights apply: Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Read more about Creative commons licenses: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. LUND UNIVERSITY PO Box 117 221 00 Lund +46 46-222 00 00 Lund Papers in Economic History No. 152, 2017 General Issues Swedish GDP 1300-1560: A Tentative Estimate Olle Krantz DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC HISTORY, LUND UNIVERSITY Lund Papers in Economic History ISRN LUSADG-SAEH-P--17/152--SE+28 © The author(s), 2017 Orders of printed single back issues (no.
    [Show full text]
  • Cardinal Wolsey and the Politics of the "Great Enterprise," 1518-1525
    W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 2000 "Once More unto the Breach, Dear Friends": Cardinal Wolsey and the Politics of the "Great Enterprise," 1518-1525 Shawn Jeremy Martin College of William & Mary - Arts & Sciences Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd Part of the European History Commons, and the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Martin, Shawn Jeremy, ""Once More unto the Breach, Dear Friends": Cardinal Wolsey and the Politics of the "Great Enterprise," 1518-1525" (2000). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539626271. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/s2-pzcg-v471 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends:” Cardinal Wolsey and the Politics of the “Great Enterprise” 1518 -1525 A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of History In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Shawn Martin 2000 Approval Sheet This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Author Approved May 2000 Dale Hoak Lu,11 Ann HomzaHnmza L/ Philip Daileader TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents iii List of Tables iv List of Graphs v Abstract vi Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • Resistance to the Reformation in 16Th-Century Finland
    CHAPTER 10 Resistance to the Reformation in 16th-Century Finland Kaarlo Arffman 10.1 Introduction The Protestant Reformation is an interesting era for analyzing the nature of religion, in which the reformers wanted to reshape the Christian religion and lifestyle. Research into the resistance to the Reformation enables us to reach a better understanding of Christianity in Finland in the Late Middle Ages. In the Reformation era Finland was the eastern part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Originally, there was only one bishop for the whole of Finland, in Turku (in Swedish Åbo). However, in the years 1555–1564 and 1568–1578 another bishop headed the eastern parishes from Vyborg (Viipuri). Lutheran ideas had reached Denmark and Sweden already by the beginning of the 1520s and received endorsement, especially in the big cities. The kings of Denmark and Sweden supported Lutheran preachers but the theological opponents of Lutheranism were also able to express their opinions.1 After internal conflict and the victory of the convinced Lutheran, Duke Christian in Denmark, in 1536, the situation changed. The debate was over. The new king, Christian III, took the Church under his direction and began to shape it into a Lutheran one. Resistance became risky. In Sweden King Gustav Vasa followed the example of the Danish king.2 In Norway and Finland the influence of Lutheranism was weaker and slower in developing than in Denmark and Sweden. The king of Denmark ruled Norway and Christian III transformed the Norwegian church into a part of the Danish Lutheran church, albeit not without drama.3 The king advised his men to proceed more cautiously in the countryside parishes.4 In Finland 1 Martin Schwarz Lausten, Reformationen i Danmark (Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag, 1987), 52–69; Åke Andrén, Sveriges kyrkohistoria 3.
    [Show full text]
  • NEO-LATIN DRAMA in the LOW COUNTRIES Jan Bloemendal The
    CHAPTER FIVE NEO-LATIN DRAMA IN THE LOW COUNTRIES Jan Bloemendal The Low Countries as a Historical, Religious and Literary Melting Pot Between c. 1500 and 1750 some hundreds of Latin plays were written, staged and printed in the Low Countries from south to north.1 Some of them had a huge international resonance, witness the many editions and performances all over Europe. In the selection of ten representative biblical dramas printed by Nicolaus Brylinger in Basel in 1541, seven of them were written by authors from the Low Countries, which were a lead- ing region in drama in the sixteenth century. However, speaking of the ‘Low Countries’ involves some geographical difficulties. The early mod- ern territory encompassed roughly the area that now comprises the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, small parts of Germany and some parts of northern France.2 The area was divided into rather autonomous provinces, while the cities had their own forms of autonomy. The rulers confirmed their dominion by magnificent ‘Joyous Entries’ (‘Blijde Intredes’) in the cities, mainly in the southern provinces, which formed the eco- nomic heart in the beginning of the sixteenth century. With approximately 2.5 million inhabitants, the Low Countries were highly urbanized. The Protestant Reformation, which, starting with Martin Luther in the 1510s and 1520s, would ‘divide Europe’s House’, also divided the Habsburg rulers and the Low Countries. While both parties had conflicting interests and conflicting religious convictions, Emperor Charles V (1500–1558) and his successor Philip II (1527–1598) tried to stop the spread of ‘heretical’ 1 For a list of Dutch plays, see IJsewijn, ‘Annales Theatri Belgo-Latini’.
    [Show full text]
  • Henry VIII and His Ministers 1509 – 40 Work Booklet – Topic 1 Thomas Wolsey
    Henry VIII and his Ministers 1509 – 40 Work Booklet – Topic 1 Thomas Wolsey Name :____________________________ Class Teacher: ______________________ OPT: _____________________________ 1 How do I answer questions in ‘King Henry VIII and his Ministers, 1509-1540’? Paper 2 – Section B – Question 4a, 4b and either 4c (i) or 4c (ii) QUESTION WHAT TO WRITE MARK TIM S E Question 4a: Describe two features of … • You need to describe two features on one 2 x Paragraphs 4 5 aspect of Henry VIII’s reign. P – Point (Identify a min • You need to support your answer with feature) relevant information. AD– Add additional EXAM TIP: Keep your answer brief. This information to your question is only worth four marks feature to help your description Question 4b: Explain why … • You need to explain the reason why 3 x P.E.E.S. something happened Paragraphs 12 18- • You will be given two information points to P – Point 20 prompt you (you don’t have to use them). E - Evidence min • You must add a third point of your own E – Explanation (to • Link your explanation back to the question. directly answer the How does your explanation show ‘why’ question) your point is significant? S – Significance: EXAM TIP: Focus on explaining ‘why’. You must Explain the give three clear reasons to explain your answer significance of this factor in relation to the question Intro Question 4c(i) or (ii) How far do you agree? (16 marks) 3 x P.E.E.S. • You will be given a choice of two Paragraphs 24- statements P – Point 16 30 • You must choose a statement and say how E - Evidence min far you agree or disagree with this E – Explanation (to statement.
    [Show full text]
  • “Our Swedish Moses and Saviour”: the Use of Biblical Leaders As Power Legitimization in Reformation Sweden
    Martin Berntson Chapter 8 “Our Swedish Moses and Saviour”: The Use of Biblical Leaders as Power Legitimization in Reformation Sweden The Vasa-regime that seized royal power in the kingdom of Sweden during the early sixteenth century was in urgent need of a power legitimization that could both corre- spond to well-known traditional symbols and narratives but also at the same time le- gitimize the new regime and its adherence to the Lutheran Reformation. The use of Old Testament kings and leaders such as David, Jehoshaphat, Joseph, and Moses could thereby function as typologies relating to the Jerusalem Code. However, through relating these Old Testament kings with their responsibility for the peoples’ spiritual needs and with their distinctive biblical foundation, the Jerusalem Code was trans- formed and adjusted to early modern Lutheran political culture, emphasizing the king’s responsibility for the Church and for the people’s spiritual well-being and the lack of biblical foundation for the Catholic sacramental culture (for example, mass in Latin, pilgrimage, and the use of sacramentals). It could also be argued that the fre- quent use of figures such as Moses and Joseph was a significant part of the Jerusalem Code in Sweden, signifying both the importance of humility and God’s providence in the secular government. Introduction In the kingdom of Sweden the introduction of the Reformation coincided with a na- tional political revolution. The process towards establishing a national Protestant church was to a large extent governed by the political and economic needs of King Gustav Vasa (r. 1523–60) whose regime marked Sweden’s leave-taking from the Note: This article has been presented as a paper at the Sixteenth Century Society Conference in Bruges in August 2016 and it has also been discussed at a workshop at the Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo in September 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • Generational Conºict in the Late Reformation
    Journal of Interdisciplinary History, xxxii:2 (Autumn, 2001), 217–242. GENERATIONAL CONFLICT IN THE REFORMATION Amy Nelson Burnett Generational Conºict in the Late Reformation: The Basel Paroxysm Since the tumultuous 1960s, social scientists have been fascinated by the theme of generational conºict. Building on the theoretical structure ªrst proposed by Mannheim in the 1920s, developmental and social psychologists and sociologists have examined a wide range of questions related to generational change, youth movements, and life-cycle course. Historians, too, have applied Mannheim’s insights to the past, fol- lowing the example of Mannheim himself, who explained the nineteenth-century struggle between conservative and liberal val- ues in Germany in terms of generational identity.1 The application of generational theory to history is not with- out its critics, but even those who have expressed reservations about the methodology still acknowledge that Mannheim’s con- cept of social generations provides a useful analytical tool for un- derstanding historical change. The concentration, particularly during the late 1960s and early 1970s, on youth movements and the generation gap has meant that generational analysis has focused on modern history and the fairly recent past. The twentieth cen- tury, in particular, seems tailor-made for generational analysis, given the number and frequency of major life-shaping events, moving from ªn-de-siècle Europe through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War, and culmi- nating in the student protests of the Vietnam era, which some Amy Nelson Burnett is Associate Professor of History, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She is the author of “Basel’s Rural Pastors as Mediators of Confessional and Social Discipline,” Central European History, XXXIII (2000), 67–86; “Melanchthon’s Reception in Basel,” in Karen Maag (ed.), Melanchthon in Europe: His Workand Inºuence Beyond Wittenberg (Grand Rapids, 1999), 69–85.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eucharistic Controversy of the 1520S and the Doctrine of the Real Presence in Luther’S Theology
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Kwansei Gakuin University Repository The Eucharistic Controversy of the 1520s and the Doctrine of the Real Presence in Luther’s Theology TRIEBEL Christian J. 0. Introduction The Eucharistic controversy, developing in the 1520s and finding its climax in the Marburg Colloquy (1529), was a tragedy according to both Herman Sasse and Heiko Oberman.1 The bitter disagreements between Zwingli and Luther led to their alienation and weakened the newly formed Reformation movement that found itself threatened more than ever by the Emperor Charles V. Zwingli and Luther could not agree on the real presence of Christ’s body in the Lord’s Supper. Consequently, Philip of Hesse failed to obtain a joint confession that would have served as a basis to unify evangelical territories in a pan-Protestant alliance of all protestant territories.2 Meanwhile, the controversy also showed how much theology mattered. Sasse comments that“ no one can understand Luther unless he has understood his fight for the Real Presence,”3 thus placing the controversy of the real presence at the very heart of Luther’s theological framework. Others, such as Thomas Davis, have argued against such an overemphasis of the real presence and instead made the Word of God its primary aspect.4 Whatever the core of Luther’s thought might be, what is clear is that his theological view would not allow him to deny the real presence. Some of his deepest beliefs were at stake when Zwingli and others denied the real presence in the Eucharist.
    [Show full text]
  • The German Hercules in Battle and in Exile
    James Reston. Luther's Fortress: Martin Luther and his Reformation under Siege. New York: Basic Books, 2015. 272 pp. $27.50, cloth, ISBN 978-0-465-06393-2. Reviewed by Jay Goodale Published on H-German (September, 2016) Commissioned by Nathan N. Orgill James Reston Jr. is a prolific, best-selling, and, his time there. The period between Luther's birth based solely upon this work, highly skilled writer (1483) and the Diet of Worms (1521) is covered in who has published seventeen books on subjects as just over twenty-two pages of fairly large print. diverse as General Sherman's march, the dis‐ Important themes and relevant events in both Eu‐ graced baseball legend Pete Rose, Galileo, Richard ropean history and Luther's personal and intellec‐ the Lionheart and the Third Crusade, the Rev‐ tual life, including Leo X's pontificate, the election erend Jim Jones (of Jonestown infamy), the Frost/ of Charles V, the relationship between this pope Nixon interviews, and the assassination of Presi‐ and emperor, the Knights' Revolt, Luther's experi‐ dent Kennedy. He is a senior scholar at the ence as a monk in Erfurt, the Leipzig Disputation, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Schol‐ Luther's relationship with Johann von Staupitz, ars, a self-administered institution established as Luther's theological breakthroughs, and the con‐ part of the Smithsonian and based in Washington troversy over indulgences are mentioned and dis‐ DC. In a short but inspirational seven-page, post- patched fairly quickly. Despite the book's stated epilogue "Author's Note," he informs us that his narrow focus, I would have appreciated a little desire to write a book on Luther emerged as he more attention to these aspects of the broader encountered him while researching and writing context, as they are absolutely fundamental to a his acclaimed work Defenders of the Faith: Chris‐ fuller understanding of both how Luther came to tianity and Islam Battle for the Soul of Europe, arrive at the Imperial Diet at Worms, and why he 1520-1536 (2009).
    [Show full text]