Reformation Notes
The Age of Reformation: Chapter Overview: Key Topics: The social and religious background of the Reformation, Martin
Luther’s challenge to the church and the course of the Reformation in Germany, The
Reformation in Switzerland, France, and England, and Transitions in family life between medieval and modern times.
Society and Religion: Section Overview: The Protestant Reformation occurred at a time of sharp conflict between the emerging nation-states of Europe bent on conformity and centralization within their realms, and self-governing towns and villages long accustomed to running their own affairs.
Social and Political Conflict The Reformation broke out first in the free imperial cities of Germany and Switzerland. Had problems with deep social and political divisions. Guilds with a history of opposition to reigning governmental authority also stood out among early Protestant supporters, regardless of education level. Martin Luther and his followers touched political as well as religious nerves.
Popular Religious Movements and Criticism of the Church The Protestant Reformation could not have occurred without the monumental challenges to the medieval church during its “exile” in Avignon, the Great Schism, the Conciliar period, and the Renaissance Papacy. Urban laypeople were increasingly knowledgeable about the world around them and about the rulers who controlled their lives. The Modern Devotion A constructive lay religious movement in northern Europe was Brothers of the Common Life, also known as Modern Devotion. A boarding school for reform-minded laity. Brothers were also educators. The Modern Devotion has been seen as the source of humanist, Protestant, and Catholic reform movements in the sixteenth century. The movement appeared at a time when the laity was demanding good preaching in the vernacular and taking the initiative to endow special funds for preaching in cities and towns to ensure it. Lay Control over
Luther’s challenge to the church and the course of the Reformation in Germany, The
Reformation in Switzerland, France, and England, and Transitions in family life between medieval and modern times.
Society and Religion: Section Overview: The Protestant Reformation occurred at a time of sharp conflict between the emerging nation-states of Europe bent on conformity and centralization within their realms, and self-governing towns and villages long accustomed to running their own affairs.
Social and Political Conflict The Reformation broke out first in the free imperial cities of Germany and Switzerland. Had problems with deep social and political divisions. Guilds with a history of opposition to reigning governmental authority also stood out among early Protestant supporters, regardless of education level. Martin Luther and his followers touched political as well as religious nerves.
Popular Religious Movements and Criticism of the Church The Protestant Reformation could not have occurred without the monumental challenges to the medieval church during its “exile” in Avignon, the Great Schism, the Conciliar period, and the Renaissance Papacy. Urban laypeople were increasingly knowledgeable about the world around them and about the rulers who controlled their lives. The Modern Devotion A constructive lay religious movement in northern Europe was Brothers of the Common Life, also known as Modern Devotion. A boarding school for reform-minded laity. Brothers were also educators. The Modern Devotion has been seen as the source of humanist, Protestant, and Catholic reform movements in the sixteenth century. The movement appeared at a time when the laity was demanding good preaching in the vernacular and taking the initiative to endow special funds for preaching in cities and towns to ensure it. Lay Control over