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Jan 1, 1373
Brethren of the Common Life Founded/In Effect
The Brethren of the Common Life founded themselves on practicing their faith The Brethren of the Common Life founded themselves on practicing their faith through generosity and Christian practices. Restricting themselves from many indulgences like the other Priests of the time. -
Jan 1, 1427
Thomas à Kempis Writes the Imitation of Christ
A book by Thomas à Kempis which urged all Christians to follow and praise a life of simplicity. Overall it stressed the importance of following the Bible and not indulging in one's pleasures. -
Period: Jan 1, 1470 to
Reformation and Reform
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Jan 1, 1477
Maximilian I Marries Mary of Burgundy
Maximilian I Marries Mary of Burgundy The marriage between the two would secure much France and the Netherlands under the Habsburgs. This new claim would make the Habsburg an immense power in Europe. -
Dec 23, 1482
Treaty of Arras
A treaty between France and the Habsburg, forcing the Habsburg to back down slightly on their claims in the French Burgundy lands. The Habsburg would still fight for it, though France had legal "control" over the region. -
Period: Nov 10, 1483 to Feb 18, 1546
Martin Luther' Lifespan
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Jan 1, 1498
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros Begins to Reform the Church
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros would begin to fix the church by upholding the rules of the religion and supporting higher standards of training. He was ne of the first reformers of the Catholic Church -
Jul 17, 1505
Martin Luther Enters Erfurt's Monastary
After a near death experience with lightning, Martin Luther left his studies at the University of Erfurt to become a friar. Sparking his religious devotion and becoming a priest, Luther would use this background for his motivations in the protestant cause. -
Jan 1, 1512
Ecumenial Council Summoned
Pope Julius II would summon a council of Italian bishops to help get reform started in the Church. The bishops earnestly fought for reform, and a higher education for the priests and instructions for the common people. The group also aimed to stop the corruption aiming at the clergy and Bureaucracy. -
Oct 19, 1512
Luther Gains a Doctorate in Theology
Luther's understanding of religion and its values allowed him to critique and question faith acurately. Unlike the peasants of the time, he knew the practices of the Catholic faith. -
Jan 1, 1516
Tetzel Sells Indulgences in Germany
Tetzel was sent into Germany for the purpose of raising money for the construction of the Saint Peter's Basilica. The sale of indulgences was not uncommon, but Luther frowned upon such abuse of the ignorant and poor people's faith. -
Oct 31, 1517
Ninety-five Theses
A list of grievances against the Church written by Martin Luther that denounced several aspects of the Church's abuse of power and specifically use of indulgences. The theses were later published in other languages and spread around Europe and Germany, thus spreading his new anti-Church stance. -
Jan 1, 1519
Ulrich Zwingli Begins to Reform Switzerland
Ulrich Zwingli begins his own sect of protestantism is Zurich, and with the support of local authorities, goes through the new testament 'A to Z". He would denounce the same things Luther had, like indulgences, celibacy, etc..., but harshly disagreed with him on certain theological issues. -
Jul 1, 1519
John Eck Debates Martin Luther's Points
John Eck debated the Catholic faith with Luther in a public event, and tried his best to disprove and discredit Luther. Upon finding Luther would not change his opinion, and that Luther's beliefs had gained popularity he retreated back to Rome and wished to remove Luther. -
Dec 10, 1520
Luther Burns the "Papal Bull"
Pope Leo X would send a demand to Martin Luther calling for him to burn his heretical works and essentially disown them. Instead Luther started a fire and cast the letter into the flame in a publicly burning the letter and symbolically denouncing and rejecting the power of the Pope. -
Jan 3, 1521
Martin Luther Excommunicated
Pope Leo X was greatly offended by the act of Luther, burning the Papal Bull, and tried to contain and scare him into submission by excommunicating him. This act only further stretched Luther's popularity, and showed the weakness of the church and their inability to go through with swift punishment. publicly burning the letter and symbolically denouncing and rejecting the power of the Pope. -
Jan 21, 1521
Diet of Worms
A call from the Holy Roman Empororer Charles V, German Princes and some Church authorities to try to get Luther to deny his claims or find correct punishment for his hertical actions. Duke Fredrick of Saxony though would protect any actions from Luther by shooting down opposition to him, and finally protecting him after Luther was declared an outlaw. -
Sep 1, 1522
Luther Translates New Testament
The translation of the new testament from Eramus's Greek translation to the German language was a big step in the reading of the Bible for the educated lower classes. Normally only the rich could read in Greek or Latin, but now, the more accesible, German language allowed others to join in "Sola Scriptura" -
Jan 1, 1524
Luther Writes Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants
Luther writes the worki to dissaprove of and seperate himself from their movement. He calls for the murder of the rebel and punishment for their actions, as he felt that God frowned upon their actions and rebelion. -
Feb 4, 1525
German Peasant Revolts
The peasant revolts in Germany marked a turning point in peasant revolts, as it was based upon more than one or two factors that caused the rebellion. On top of that the peasants would justify their actions under Martin Luther's doctrines claiming they fit his descriptions. -
Mar 6, 1525
The Twelve Articles
Under harsh conditions, represenatives form several swabian villiages gathered together to form a list of greivences called the Twelve Articles. These articles expressed the displeasure of the harsh taxation, rents, use of land and much more. -
Apr 25, 1529
Diet of Speyer
A diet in which several German Princes in the Holy Roman Empire decided to follow protestant thought. Primarily for the purpose of fighting the Catholic majority and gaining freedom, but most importantly to recognize their own political powers without the Pope or Church. -
Oct 1, 1529
Marburg Colloquy
A group meeting by Protestants to try to unite each other, but it failed to do so and would only last 4 days. This would cause many of the protestant sects to remain separate from each other. -
Oct 16, 1530
Confession of Augsburg
A meeting in which the terms of Lutheran faith were officially formulated and recognized. Allowing Lutheranism to stand out from the general term of protestantism. -
Nov 26, 1534
Supremacy Act
Act in which Henry VIII had declared himself head of the Church of England and disconnected himself permanently from Rome. Making England, technically, one of the first powers to become a protestant nation. -
Jan 1, 1545
Council of Trent
A Church call for reform, in which some protestant sects were invited, but turned down for various reasons. It overall set the rules for the Church and ended certain aspects of corruption and reformed the Church to better help the citizen. -
Sep 25, 1555
Peace of Augsburg
A treaty ending only a small part of the Habsburg-valois war allowing German princes to practice Lutheranism and Catholicism in their kingdoms. Overall reducing the power of the Holy Roman Empire.