Würzburg

In the second half of the sixteenth century, the Würzburg Collegiate Monastery developed into a stronghold of the Counter-Reformation under Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn (1545–1617, bishop 1573–1617). Echter’s predecessor in the early days of the Reformation, Konrad von Thüngen (1466–1540, bishop 1519–1540), had vigorously opposed the new doctrine since the Peasants’ War. The uprisings and violent clashes had been particularly fierce in the diocese of Würzburg. Before 1525, however, Thüngen had tolerated some of the reformatory movements: Luther’s sympathisers, for example, occupied the office of the Würzburg Cathedral Preacher for several years.

A rather remarkable episode has also been preserved about Bishop Lorenz of Bibra (1459–1519, bishop 1495–1519). Obviously, Bibra felt a certain sympathy for Martin Luther (1483–1546). The bishop had received the reformer in April and May 1518 on his way through Würzburg. In the following year, Bibra wrote to Luther’s patron, Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony (1463–1525, elector 1486–1525): “Dear uncle, I ask you that you will place your regard on the monk Dr Martinus, for he is righteous, and if you, my dear sir, may keep him longer, so send him to me; he will be a dear guest to me.”

Many years later, Luther claimed that if Bibra had lived longer, he would have become Lutheran, but this remains pure speculation. Bibra’s church-political actions during his lifetime do not seem to confirm it.