Reform statt Reformation

The Reformation was Saxony's finest hour in world history. Christoph Volkmar examines this period of upheaval and questions three major narrative traditions: the role of the princes as supporters of the Reformation, the fate of church reform in the late Middle Ages and the place in history of a key figure of that time. Duke George of Saxony (1471-1539) was Luther's most determined opponent among the German princes. Using him as an example, the author studies the influence of secular authorities on the church in their territories in the late Middle Ages. This opens up new perspectives on the Reformation, as the Albertine used the powers of the »Landesherrliches Kirchenregiment« to suppress the Protestant movement and to push forward the renewal of the Catholic church.