Territorialfürst und Reichsjustiz

Wolfgang Friedrich's book deals with problems arising from the dissolution of the monasteries during the Hessian reformation in the first half of the 16th century. As a result, several monasteries sued the Landgrave of Hesse, a predominant figure of his time. The »Reformation trials« in the Imperial Chamber Court were a major issue of the Reformation in Germany. Due to this, questions pertaining to imperial and ecclesiastical law and juridical argumentation became increasingly important. The use of those monasteries which had been dissolved for the public good was a key part of the foundation of the early absolute Protestant territorial state of Hesse. This book provides an important contribution to the history of the development of this territorial state, the consequences of which are still apparent today.