Martin Luther to the Archbishop of Mainz, Nuremberg 1530 (Landesbibliothek Coburg, Lu Ia 1530,4)

Martin Luther (1483–1547) wrote this letter on 6 July 1530 at the Veste Coburg (Coburg Fortress). The copy shown here comes from the Nuremberg print shop of Georg Rottmaier. In the hope of mediating between himself and his opponents, Luther deferentially addressed Elector and Archbishop Albrecht of Brandenburg (1490–1545, 1514–1545 archbishop of Mainz) with this letter.

In order to protect himself, Martin Luther chooses the form of an open letter. Right at the beginning, he explains: “I would have preferred to write this letter in confidence and by hand to your Electoral Grace. But, I was afraid that in this fast time, it might possibly be published adulterated and misinterpreted on my behalf one way or the other. And, perhaps I would put your Electoral Grace under suspicion. That is why I dared to publish it in print myself, so as to prevent the poisonous, suspicious interpreters.” (fol. 7)

In the letter, Luther demands that his opponents prove him wrong from the Bible. In concrete terms, he is burdened by the discord between the German princes triggered by his Confession. He also deplores the victims among his followers in the Catholic principalities. Luther names Leonhard Kayser from the Innviertel district of Bavaria, who was burnt in Schärding in 1527. He criticises German princes, who adhere to the pope’s followers, in drastic words.

To the digitised copy