February 27: The Schmalkaldischer League

In the mid sixteenth century, Europe was in a state of crisis. Tensions flared between King Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles the V (pictured above). The Muslim Turks from the east threatened to overrun Europe. To make matters more complicated, Germany was throwing off its ties to Rome in favor of Lutheranism.

Terrified of the outcome of religious disunity, Charles V issued an edict of strict condemnation toward the German reformation. The dis-unified German city-states were given a rigid ultimatum: submit to the Catholic church before a set deadline or face Imperial wrath.

On February 27, 1531, several German princes formed an alliance of resistance to the Empire.

They called themselves the Schmalkaldischer League—a tongue twister even in German. This handful of courageous leaders promised to come to each other’s aid in defense of Protestant freedom. An invitation was extended to any who would affirm the beliefs of Martin Luther. However, the league found itself hopelessly outmatched by the Empire.

Thankfully, Charles V was temporarily preoccupied with wars against both the French and the Turks. With the stubborn Schmalkaldischer league defending the Lutherans, it was over a decade before he could muster his strength to focus an attack against Germany. By that time, the league had grown enough to put up a stiff resistance to the imperial onslaught. When the Schmalkaldischer league was finally routed by the Holy Roman Empire in 1547, Charles found that he was too late. Lutheranism was so deeply entrenched in the German culture that no effort of force could wipe the reformation from Europe.

Verse of the day: 2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.