Events Leading up to the Protestant Reformation

1. Events Leading up to the Protestant Reformation Ms. Stiles

2. Religious Life • Several medieval religious crises led laity (lay people) to no longer see the Catholic Church as a viable source for religious piety (reverence for God) • Church was considered to be hypocritical • More people were looking to simplify religious beliefs/services to be more Christ-like

3. Desiderius Erasmus Illegitimate son of a Dutch priest Believed in “philosophia Christi””a simple, ethical piety in the imitation of Christ His writings criticized Pope Julius II (known as the Warrior Popecommissioned Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel) Wrote “Julius Excluded from Heaven: A Dialogue, “You’re All Belches and You Stink of Boozing and Hangovers” Work satirizes the Pope & states that he can’t buy his way into heaven

4. Erasmus • Erasmus objected to the sale of indulgences • Said Pope Julius was “preying on superstition to raise money” • Criticized by the Catholics for calling for reform • Criticized by Protestants for not calling for enough reform

5. Sir Thomas More Criticized contemporary English society In Utopia Depicts an imaginary society based on reason & tolerance that requires everyone to work and has rid itself of all social & political injustice Helped Henry VIII write a response to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses Remained a staunch Catholic, but his humanistic work helped paved the way for the Reformation in England “The King’s Servant, but God’s First” Executed by Henry VIII for failure to comply with the Act of Succession

6. Indulgences • Medieval theology  priests could absolve people who repent (aka penitents) but penitents still had an ‘eternal penalty’ • Punishment from God for sinning • Penitents could try to work this off by praying, fasting, almsgiving & pilgrimages • If you didn’t do all of this or don’t do it well enough, you will suffer in purgatory

7. History of Indulgences • Pope Clement VI (1343) claimed he found a “treasury of merit” • Infinite reserve of good works that could be given out at the Pope’s will • Letters of indulgence could help people work off their punishment for sin • Originally only given to crusaders for their self-sacrifice • Eventually anyone could pay for indulgences

8. History of Indulgences • Pope’s soon allowed people to buy indulgences for themselves or dead relatives • 1517: Pope Leo X used proceeds from indulgences to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica • Albrecht of Mainz: needed money to pay off his debts (held 3 positions within the Church, even though people really weren’t allowed to; paid lots of $$$ to buy positions, hence the debt)

9. History of Indulgences • Albrecht of Mainz made a deal with Pope Leo X to split revenue from indulgences • Called on Johannes (John) Tetzel to sell indulgences in Saxony, Germany (Albrecht’s turf) • According to Martin Luther, Tetzel made it sound like indulgences remitted sins & released the dead from punishment in purgatory • Luther claimed this went beyond tradition & made it seem like salvation could be bought & sold

10. Peasant Life 1500-1800 • People began to get married later in life • Men: mid-late 20’s; women- early-mid 20’s • Marriages were typically arranged by the bride & groom’s parents • Parents met & discussed terms before children were involved • Strangers were not forced to marry • Children could object to marriages

11. Peasant Life 1500-1800 • Family Size: • Father, mother, 2-4 surviving children • Many lived with in-laws, servants, laborers, & boarders • Average couple had 6-7 children with a new birth every 2 years • 1/3 of children died by age 5 • ½ of children died by teenage years

12. Peasant Life 1500-1800 • Happy home life? • Children were typically sent from their families into apprenticeships, schools or employment • Widows & widowers quickly remarried • Families & marriages did not appear to be very loving • Many believed that the best they could give their children was a shot at learning a trade, which meant being able to take care of themselves