Sunday, December 12, 2010

Charles V, 1500-1558

In October, 1529, the brave defenders of Vienna turned back massive Turkish forces from the walls of the city. The victory relieved the empire of immediate danger from a Turkish invasion and insured the success of Charles V over his opposition in northern Italy. On his birthday, February 24, 1530, Charles was crowned emperor in Bologna by Pope Clement VII, the last crowning of a German emperor by a pope. With great confidence Charles summoned the imperial diet to convene in Augsburg.

The diet was to supply further aid against the Turks and by reconciling differences was to bring religious unity to Germany. Charles spoke of setting discord aside and called on all the estates to be ready to express their views on religious questions. But behind these conciliatory words lay his strong determination to proceed against the Protestants with fire and sword, should they not yield to his kindness, that is, to the extent that his other political plans allowed.

Luther, M. (1999, c1960). Vol. 34: Luther's works, vol. 34 : Career of the Reformer IV (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Vol. 34, Page 5). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.