Martin Luther 1512-1525

Receives a degree in Doctor of Theology at University of Wittenburg

Jan 1, 1512

Becomes a priest at Wittenburg's City Church

Jan 1, 1514

Nails his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church

Oct 31, 1517

Martin Luther’s 95 Theses surrounds Luther’s beliefs on the Catholic Church. He began to question the Church’s practices. On Halloween in 1517, Martin Luther bravely pinned 95 points of his opinion on the Church. He believed that the Church was in wrong-doings for getting people to pay them so their sins would be “forgiven”. 95 Theses spread like wildfire, there were readings of this to people who were illiterate, which were most people, and most people had heard of what Luther had to say.

An investigation on Luther begins in Rome

Jan 1, 1518

Wrote "Freedom of a Christian", "Babylonian Captivity", Address to German Nation"

Jan 1, 1520

Excommunicated in Rome

Jan 3, 1521

After pinning his 95 Theses to the door of the church, Luther was declared of heresy, condemning the Church of its practices. The Catholic Church excommunicated him in Rome on the 3rd of January in 1521. This threw him out of the Church. The Catholic Church had split, thanks to Luther. A variety of Churches started to form such as Lutheran and Protestant Church.

Arrives at Diet of Worms

Apr 16, 1521

The Emperor, as well as the Church, was going to imprison Luther for his acts of heresy. But Fredrick the Wise demanded that Luther should not be imprisoned without a proper and legal hearing at court. So they got Luther to come to court in Diet of Worms. Luther arrived at Diet of Worms on the 16th of April in 1521. The Church and Emperor wanted him to recant his teachings, but he remained standing and refused to recant. “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.” Luther said.

Departs Diets of Worms

Apr 25, 1521

Kidnapped by Fredrick the Wise

May 4, 1521

Fredrick the Wise firstly demanded that Luther would not be imprisoned without an official court hearing. He then saved Luther, when he was travelling home from Diet of Worms. The emperor declared that Luther was an outlaw and could be killed by anyone whom would not get a punishment. Fredrick the Wise kidnapped him in order to save him, this guaranteed his safety.

Started preaching in central Germany, Erfurt and Weimar

Jan 1, 1522

Return back to Wittenburg

Mar 6, 1522

Published a translated version of the New Testament in German

Sep 1, 1522

Peasants' War starts

Jan 1, 1524

During the Reformation, a great number of peasants started an uprising. Thomas Münzer was a former follower of Martin Luther, he became a leader of this uprising. They thought of Luther’s teachings as motivation and demanded political and economical change. Luther, although initially starting this uprising, did not agree with this, as authority would lose it’s leadership and everyone would have the same rights.

Writes "Bondage of the Will and Against the Murderous" and "Thieving Hordes of Peasants"

Jan 1, 1525

Married Katharina von Bora, who was a former nun

Jan 1, 1525