Declaration on Luther, 19 April 1521
The statement that Charles V gave to the estates at Worms the day after Luther refused to recant, declaring that he would defend the faith of his ancestors and proceed against Luther.
The declaration is short and personal. Charles V recalls that his forebears, emperors, archdukes of Austria and dukes of Burgundy, were faithful sons of the Catholic Church, and says it is his duty to uphold what they and the councils established. He calls Martin Luther a single monk who sets his own judgement against the faith held by all Christians for more than a thousand years, regrets having delayed so long, and resolves to hear him no more, while keeping the safe-conduct.
It states the emperor’s own reasons, the day after the hearing, and is the plainest expression of his side of the case.
Cited in
- 1520 to 1521, firm date