When Martin Luther published his 95 theses on October 31, 1517 the world changed fundamentally. Europe split right down the middle and an age of individualistic exploration began. Or did it? Was it really just the actions of a junior lecturer at a second tier university that blew up the world? What were the circumstances and actions that brought about this fundamental change.
When it comes to events from German history that left a mark on the world, most minds turn towards the 19th and 20th century. But there is at least one, arguably two periods that can claim to have had equally lasting impact. One is the Investiture Controversy that we discussed in Season 2, and the other is what we will learn about now, the Reformation!
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The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.
On October 31st, 1517 a young professor at second rate university in a European backwater published a discussion paper – and triggered a serious of events that reverberate well into the 21st century.
What did people believe before the reformation hit? How did they think about the world, their role in it and ways to escape the ever looming risk of hellfire?
When Martin Luther joined the Augustinian Order in 1505, he embarked on a 15 year long spiritual journey that changed the World
What if the most famous story of the Reformation has some massive holes? Was Tetzel really a snake oil salesman? Was Albrecht of Brandenburg and the Fuggers really after the indulgence contracts? Were the Germans been ripped off by the papacy more than anyone else? Who could believe that there is still room for new perspectives on this event?
