Charles Beard: Martin Luther and the Reformation: Ch.10-Diet of Worms, 4...

1.     LUTHER’S OUT. ROME’S IN. The Diet begins closing down in late May with an epidemic and deaths with Charles remaining in his quarters. Aleander obtains the signatures of all with a back-dating of the document to 8 May 1521. “It tells the story of Luther's heresies, narrates what had taken place at Worms, vaunts the justice of the Emperor, the clemency of the Pope, paints with a broad brush the wickedness of the criminal on whom it is about to pass sentence. It places Luther and his adherents out of the pale of the law; condemns his books to the flames; and subjects all printing to the control of the bishops” (455). The Reformation was not stayed for a moment. Variously, Luther preaches as he heads home. He writes letter with the same themes offered at the Diet. On May 4, he is interdicted near Eisenach in a secret operation run by the Elector who has a close-hold on the project. “They put Luther on horseback, and by devious ways brought him to the "Wartburg, an Electoral residence, half palace, half fortress which overhangs the town of Eisenach, and is all but visible from its streets” (456). News gets out. He’s gone, but no one knows where. Albert Durer laments him as dead. Theories emerge, but, ultimately, it’s leaked that he’s with friends and is not dead. On 12 May, he gets off three letters—to Melancthon, Amsdorf and Agricola. Aleander thinks Luther will never be safe “even in the lap of Caesar” (457). Paris orders a book-burnings. But, supply goes down with supply going up with all the international publicity. “About the middle of July 1521 the Archbishop of Mainz wrote to the Pope : `Day by day, in spite of the endeavours of all good men, of the Bull of your Blessedness, and the Edict of the Emperor against Martin and his accomplices, the forces of the Lutherans increased not only are there but very few laymen who are candidly and simply well-affected to Churchmen, but (a large portion of the priesthood takes part with Luther, and most are ashamed to stand on the side of the Roman Church, so hated is the name of curtisani and the decrees, which with great scorn both the Wittenbergers and others reject.’” What, then, had the Diet of Worms done for the Church in Germany? And whither had vanished Aleander's victory?” The last two questions are brilliant by Beard. Pope, Emperor, and Empire BRAG ON! THE REFORMATION WAS JUST GETTING STARTED!