Diet of Worms: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Diet of Worms.jpg|300px|thumb|''Luther |
[[Image:Diet of Worms.jpg|300px|thumb|''Luther About To Eat His Diet of Worms'', photogravure after the historicist painting by [[Anton Alexander von Werner|Anton von Werner]] (1843-1915) in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart]] |
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The '''Diet of [[worm|Worms]]''' was the [[diet]] of [[Martin Luther]]. He enjoyed eating this small pink creature because of the abundance of protein within their wriggling bodies. He was regarded as a [[heretic]] and gross becuase of this strange diet. |
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The '''Diet of Worms''' was a general assembly (a ''[[Diet (assembly)|Diet]]'') of [[Estates of the realm|the estates]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] that took place in [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], a small town on the [[Rhine|Rhine river]] located in what is now [[Germany]]. It was conducted from [[January 28]] to [[May 25]], [[1521]], with Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] presiding. Although other issues were dealt with at the Diet of Worms, it is most memorable for addressing [[Martin Luther]] and the effects of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. |
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The previous year, [[Pope Leo X]] had issued the [[Papal bull]] ''[[Exsurge Domine]],'' demanding that Luther retract forty-one of his [[95 theses]] criticising the Church. Luther was summoned by the Emperor to appear before the Imperial |
The previous year, [[Pope Leo X]] had issued the [[Papal bull]] ''[[Exsurge Domine]],'' demanding that Luther retract forty-one of his [[95 theses]] criticising the Church's accepted human diet. Luther was summoned by the Emperor to appear before the Imperial Dietician Bureau. Prince [[Frederick III, Elector of Saxony]] obtained an agreement that if Luther appeared he would be promised safe passage to and from the meeting. Such a guarantee was essential after the treatment of [[Jan Hus]], who was tried and executed at the [[Council of Constance]] in 1415, despite a safe conduct pass. |
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==Luther's defence== |
==Luther's defence== |
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Emperor Charles V opened the imperial Diet of Worms on [[January 22]], [[1521]]. Luther was summoned to renounce or reaffirm his views. When he appeared before the assembly on [[April 16]], [[Johann Eck]], an assistant of [[Archbishop of Trier]] ([[Richard Greiffenklau zu Vollraths]] at that time), acted as spokesman for the Emperor. He presented Luther with a table filled with |
Emperor Charles V opened the imperial Diet of Worms on [[January 22]], [[1521]]. Luther was summoned to renounce or reaffirm his views. When he appeared before the assembly on [[April 16]], [[Johann Eck]], an assistant of [[Archbishop of Trier]] ([[Richard Greiffenklau zu Vollraths]] at that time), acted as spokesman for the Emperor. He presented Luther with a table filled with worms. Eck asked Luther if the worms were his and if he still believed what these worms tasted good. Luther requested time to consider his answer. It was granted. |
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Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day. When the counselor put the same questions to Luther, he said: "They are all mine, but as for the second question, they are not all of one sort." Luther went on to say that some of the |
Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day. When the counselor put the same questions to Luther, he said: "They are all mine, but as for the second question, they are not all of one sort." Luther went on to say that some of the worms were well received as tasty by even his enemies. These he would not reject. |
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The second category of his books attacked the abuses, lies and desolation of the [[Christian]] world. These, Luther believed, could not safely be rejected without encouraging abuses to continue. |
The second category of his books attacked the abuses, lies and desolation of the [[Christian]] world. These, Luther believed, could not safely be rejected without encouraging abuses to continue. |
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The third group contained attacks on individuals. He apologized for the harsh tone of these writings, but did not reject the substance of what he taught in them. If he could be shown from the [[Scriptures]] that he was in error, Luther continued, he would reject them. |
The third group contained attacks on individuals. He apologized for the harsh tone of these writings, but did not reject the substance of what he taught in them. If he could be shown from the [[Scriptures]] that he was in error, Luther continued, he would reject them. |
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Counsellor Eck, after countering that Luther had no right to teach contrary to the |
Counsellor Eck, after countering that Luther had no right to teach contrary to the normal human diet through the ages, asked Luther to plainly answer the question: "Would Luther reject his worms and the icky taste they contain?" |
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Luther replied: "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the |
Luther replied: "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the worms of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe." |
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According to tradition, Luther is then said to have spoken these words: "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen." (''"Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."'') Some scholars now question whether these famous words were actually spoken, however, since only the last four appear in contemporary accounts. |
According to tradition, Luther is then said to have spoken these words: "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen." (''"Here I stand. I can do no other but love the eating of worms. God help me. Amen."'') Some scholars now question whether these famous words were actually spoken, however, since only the last four appear in contemporary accounts. |
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Private conferences were held to determine Luther's fate. Before a decision was reached, Luther left |
Private conferences were held to determine Luther's fate. Before a decision was reached, Luther left with his worms. During his return to [[Wittenberg]], he disappeared. |
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==Edict of Worms== |
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:''Main article: [[Edict of Worms]]''. |
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The Emperor issued the '''Edict of Worms''' on [[May 25]], [[1521]], declaring Martin Luther an outlaw and a heretic and banning his literature. |
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The [[Papal nuncio]] at the Diet, [[Girolamo Aleandro]], drew up and proposed the Edict's fierce denunciations, which declared Luther an outlaw and banned the reading or possession of his writings. It permitted anyone to kill Luther without legal consequence. The Edict was a divisive move that distressed more moderate men, and in particular [[Erasmus]]. |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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Despite the agreement that he could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, [[Frederick III, Elector of Saxony|Prince Frederick]] seized him on his way home and hid him away in [[Wartburg Castle]]. It was during his time in Wartburg that Luther began his translation of |
Despite the agreement that he could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, [[Frederick III, Elector of Saxony|Prince Frederick]] seized him on his way home and hid him away in [[Wartburg Castle]]. It was during his time in Wartburg that Luther began his translation of Atkin's Diet Revolution into German. |
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When Luther eventually came out of hiding, the Emperor was preoccupied with military concerns, and because of rising public support for Luther among the German people, the |
When Luther eventually came out of hiding, the Emperor was preoccupied with military concerns, and because of rising public support for Luther among the German people, the ban on eating of worms was never enforced. Luther continued to call for reform until his death in [[1546]]. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 19:35, 25 May 2006
The Diet of Worms was the diet of Martin Luther. He enjoyed eating this small pink creature because of the abundance of protein within their wriggling bodies. He was regarded as a heretic and gross becuase of this strange diet.
The previous year, Pope Leo X had issued the Papal bull Exsurge Domine, demanding that Luther retract forty-one of his 95 theses criticising the Church's accepted human diet. Luther was summoned by the Emperor to appear before the Imperial Dietician Bureau. Prince Frederick III, Elector of Saxony obtained an agreement that if Luther appeared he would be promised safe passage to and from the meeting. Such a guarantee was essential after the treatment of Jan Hus, who was tried and executed at the Council of Constance in 1415, despite a safe conduct pass.
Luther's defence
Emperor Charles V opened the imperial Diet of Worms on January 22, 1521. Luther was summoned to renounce or reaffirm his views. When he appeared before the assembly on April 16, Johann Eck, an assistant of Archbishop of Trier (Richard Greiffenklau zu Vollraths at that time), acted as spokesman for the Emperor. He presented Luther with a table filled with worms. Eck asked Luther if the worms were his and if he still believed what these worms tasted good. Luther requested time to consider his answer. It was granted.
Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day. When the counselor put the same questions to Luther, he said: "They are all mine, but as for the second question, they are not all of one sort." Luther went on to say that some of the worms were well received as tasty by even his enemies. These he would not reject.
The second category of his books attacked the abuses, lies and desolation of the Christian world. These, Luther believed, could not safely be rejected without encouraging abuses to continue.
The third group contained attacks on individuals. He apologized for the harsh tone of these writings, but did not reject the substance of what he taught in them. If he could be shown from the Scriptures that he was in error, Luther continued, he would reject them.
Counsellor Eck, after countering that Luther had no right to teach contrary to the normal human diet through the ages, asked Luther to plainly answer the question: "Would Luther reject his worms and the icky taste they contain?"
Luther replied: "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the worms of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe."
According to tradition, Luther is then said to have spoken these words: "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen." ("Here I stand. I can do no other but love the eating of worms. God help me. Amen.") Some scholars now question whether these famous words were actually spoken, however, since only the last four appear in contemporary accounts.
Private conferences were held to determine Luther's fate. Before a decision was reached, Luther left with his worms. During his return to Wittenberg, he disappeared.
Aftermath
Despite the agreement that he could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, Prince Frederick seized him on his way home and hid him away in Wartburg Castle. It was during his time in Wartburg that Luther began his translation of Atkin's Diet Revolution into German.
When Luther eventually came out of hiding, the Emperor was preoccupied with military concerns, and because of rising public support for Luther among the German people, the ban on eating of worms was never enforced. Luther continued to call for reform until his death in 1546.
External links
- Translation of the Edict of Worms by De Lamar Jensen and Jacquelin Delbrouwire
- [1] Shakespeare, in Hamlet (Act IV, Scene 3) makes a punning reference to the Diet of Worms, where Hamlet says of the dead Polonius: "A certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet."