The Diet of Worms, held in 1521 in the Imperial Free City of Worms, was a momentous assembly of the Holy Roman Empire convened by Emperor Charles V. The primary focus of this imperial diet, or formal deliberative assembly, was Martin Luther and his teachings, which had ignited a religious firestorm.
Pronunciation and Terminology
It is important to clarify the pronunciation and meaning of "Diet of Worms" to avoid misinterpretations. The word "Diet" in this context refers to an assembly or meeting, not a dietary regimen. "Worms" is a German place name. In German, the letter 'W' is pronounced like an English 'V'. Thus, the pronunciation is closer to "Vorms". Locals in Worms speak a dialect known as "Wormserblatt," pronouncing it more like "Vohrms."
Background: Luther's Challenge to the Church
Martin Luther's journey to Worms began with his challenge to certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church. In 1517, he wrote his Ninety-five Theses, questioning the sale of indulgences. This act, coupled with his subsequent writings and sermons attacking the Church, garnered him attention from ecclesiastical authorities.
In June 1520, Pope Leo X issued the Papal bull Exsurge Domine ("Arise, O Lord"), which identified 41 purported errors in Luther's Ninety-five Theses and other works. Luther continued to preach, write, and publish his views. As a result, he was excommunicated in January 1521 and summoned to appear before the assembly at Worms.
The Imperial Diet of Worms: Luther's Stand
Emperor Charles V commenced the Imperial Diet of Worms on 23 January 1521. Luther was summoned to renounce or reaffirm his views in response to the Papal bull of Pope Leo X. By this time, the Catholic Church considered Luther an outlaw, and his writings were condemned as heretical.
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Luther arrived in Worms on 16 April and was told to appear before the diet at 4 PM the following day. Jerome Schurff, a Wittenberg professor of canon law, served as Luther's lawyer.
On 17 April, Ulrich von Pappenheim, the imperial marshal, and Caspar Sturm, the herald, escorted Luther to the assembly. Pappenheim instructed Luther to answer only direct questions from Johann von Eck, the presiding officer and assistant to the Archbishop of Trier.
Eck inquired whether the collection of books presented was Luther's and whether he was prepared to revoke the heresies contained within them. Schurff requested that the titles be read aloud. The collection consisted of 25 works, likely including The Ninety-five Theses, Resolutions Concerning the 95 Theses, On the Papacy at Rome, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian.
On 18 April, Luther appeared before the diet, stating that he had spent hours in prayer and consulted with friends and mediators. He apologized for his lack of courtly etiquette before addressing the questions posed to him.
Luther acknowledged that the writings were his but stated that they were "not all of one sort." He categorized them into three groups:
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- Works that were well-received, even by his enemies, which he would not reject.
- Books that attacked the abuses, lies, and desolation of the Christian world and the papacy. Luther believed that retracting these would encourage the continuation of such abuses. He stated that to recant them would be to strengthen tyranny.
- Attacks on individuals. Luther apologized for the harsh tone of these writings but did not reject their substance. He stated that if he could be shown by Scripture that his writings were in error, he would reject them.
Luther declared: "Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me."
Tradition holds that Luther declared, "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise," before concluding with "God help me."
Aftermath: The Edict of Worms and Luther's Exile
Following Luther's refusal to recant, private conferences were held to determine his fate. However, he was not arrested in Worms. Through negotiations by his prince, Frederick III, Luther was granted a letter of safe conduct to and from the hearing.
After his dismissal, he departed for Wittenberg. Fearing for Luther's safety, Frederick III arranged for a staged highway attack and abduction, hiding Luther in Wartburg Castle. Disguised as a knight, Luther remained in protective custody at Wartburg Castle for nearly a year (early May 1521 to early March 1522).
On 25 May 1521, Emperor Charles V issued the Edict of Worms. This decree proscribed Luther's writings, declared him a heretic and an enemy of the state, and permitted anyone to kill him without legal consequence, effectively placing him under an imperial ban.
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