bavarikon4ULetter by Johannes Eck to the Bishop of Augsburg; Augsburg, 15 November 1520 (Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern, MS 9.5.0002 - 2604)
The letter composed by Johannes Eck (1486–1543) in the Latin language is addressed to the Augsburg Bishop Christoph von Stadion (1478–1543, bishop 1517–1543). It provides exemplary insights in the efforts made by circles critical of Luther who tried to prevail over an – in their view – depraved doctrine.
Eck had travelled to Augsburg and wrote the letter as part of his commission to publicise the papal bull of excommunication of 15 July 1520 in Germany. He referred to a previous letter regarding the same matter and advised quick action so that the illness (“morbus”) would not be able to spread further. Eck cites a letter by the Bavarian Duke William IV (1493–1550, duke 1508–1550) to illustrate the duke’s readiness to lend support as well as his interest in fighting against the Lutheran doctrine.
Not least, Eck asserted in the letter a personal interest. He asked for help with the bestowal of a canon’s position which had just become vacant in Augsburg and for which the pope had promised him the entitlement.
The letter arrived originally as a collectible to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (German National Museum) which added its property stamp on the back. In 1966, the Museum handed the letter to the Archive of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria where it is preserved to this day.