Luther and the Wittenberg Disputations 1535-36

Abstract

The disputations which Luther conducted in 1535-36, when the delegates of Henry VIII were in Germany seeking an alliance, are set in relation to Henry's book against Luther (1521) and Luther's spirited reply (1522), as well as in relation to Henry's divorce proceedings. They show the basic evangelical theology Wittenberg considered essential to Reformation. Some positive results ensued in the Ten Articles (1536), the Bishops' Book (1537) and Cromwell's Injunctions (1538), but the execution of Cromwell (1540), followed by the Diet of Regensburg (1541), brought Protestant/Catholic rapprochement to an end.