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Luther and the princes

            The Role of the German Princes: Explain how far you agree with the view that Luther's success depended on the princes.
             Princes ultimately had power over their territories they could officially change the religion of their territory therefore they were vital in the success of Luther.
             Frederick the Wise had great influence in the spread of the reformation. In a letter to Frederick from the in 1518 he requested that Frederick should prevent Luther discrediting the catholic church and that he be handed over for "judgement [by] Rome." In this respect Luther's success depended entirely on the Princes. As elector of Saxony, Frederick was quite within his rights to hand Luther to Rome after he had been excommunicated. The princes as a whole could not agree whether to enforce the Edict of Worms and so allowed each Prince to make their own decision. More vitally is the fact that Luther was being protected by Frederick the Wise which allowed him to continue his work. However, Luther believed that he would always "receive the most protection" from God, not from the princes or any other figure of authority. These early responses from the church to Luther indicate their awareness of Luther's ideas and radical teaching. The Holy Roman Emperor also contributed greatly to Luther's success by allowing him freedom and not realising the threat that he posed. Young and inexperienced, the Holy Roman Emperor was occupied with the expansion of the Ottoman Empire to worry about a "reluctant revolutionary." Luther has a strong self-confidence to proclaim and preach his ideas without the support of the princes, relying solely on his faith and good communication skills.
             In 1522 Luther questioned the role of authority is his pamphlet " Secular authority, to what extent should it be obeyed". Luther recognised the need for Princes and believed that they were divinely appointed and true Christians should honour their authority.


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