Luther: Early RCC Response Flashcards
What did Exsurge Domine try to do?
June 1520 listed and condemned 41 errors in Luther’s writings which if he failed to recant would result in excommunication and likely death
How was Luther protected from papal influence?
Much of Germany sided with Luther e.g. humanists and nobles - Sylvester von Schamburg offered protection of 100 Franconian nobles, Sickingen and von Hutten hailed Luther as the liberator of Germany
What was Luther’s response to Exsurge Domine?
10th Dec 1520 publicly burned the bull with works of Eck and canon laws - rejected all papal authority,not just RCC authority and Leo X
Publicity stunt designed to increase populist appeal
How did RCC respond to the burning of Exsurge Domine?
Leo X formally excommunicated Luther 3rd Jan 1521 Decet Romanum Pontificem - indirectly threatened Frederick too
How did Charles ensure Luther could defend himself at Worms, Apr 1521?
Persuaded CV to allow safe passage and to speak at the imminent diet, CV owed FW for his election and held financial and political sway - but CV as pious and took the diet seriously
What events unfolded at Worms?
Luther was read a long list of his works, and asked to recant with a simple yes/no answer
Luther asked for a day’s grace and made a speech accepting some works were ‘polemic against the papacy’, yet he affirmed that he would not recant without scriptural contradiction
What did Luther gain from Worms?
Nobility were impressed with his defence and sympathised with anti-papal movement - those with Imperial Immediacy were present
How did RCC suffer from Worms?
Appeared weak as did not address doctrinal issues or Scripture, but Eck branded him as a radical that would bring about social disintegration, which alarmed the nobles
What were CV’s reactions to Worms?
Acted honourably in securing safe travel for Luther - issued Imperial edict in May outlawing him and condemning him as a heretic, also embargoed circulation of his works
Was not harsh to Luther, guaranteeing safe conduct, allowing him to attend and speak at Worms, created exemption for Electoral Saxony and did not act against Frederick - kidnapped to Wurtburg Castle
Why did CV not take a harder stance against Luther?
Give 4 reasons
Was politically indebted to Frederick and did not seek to challenge popular support
Noble Revolt in Castile 1520-21 threatened his authority and so Germany was subordinated - returned to Spain immediately after Worms
War with Valois, Ottoman threat also prioritised - advocated a GCC, but unlikely with Leo pontificate
Had used Fugger loans for election and without a standing army relied on princes for financial and military support
