Media War

The media war that followed the Theses was waged through the help of the printing press, with Luther and those loyal to Rome unleashing attacks on each other in short pamphlets that were quickly and easily disseminated from presses across Germany. In Luther’s publications, he started laying out his ideas of religious reform, which went against centuries of church tradition. It was these publications that directly lead to Luther being called to stand trial before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521.

Martin Luther, Ein sermon von Ablass und Gnade (A Sermon on Indulgences and Grace). Leipzig: Wolfgang Stöckel, 1518. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Johann Tetzel, Vorlegung gemacht von Bruder Johan Tetzel Prediger Ordens Ketzermeister (Rebuttal Made by Brother Johann Tetzel, the Order of Preachers’ Inquisitor of Heretics). Leipzig: Melchior Lotter the Elder, 1518. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, Resolutiones disputationum de indulgentarum virtute (Resolutions on the Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences). Wittenberg: Johann Rhau-Grunenberg, 1518. Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek in Halle (Saale).

Pope Leo X, Exsurge domine. Bulla contra errores Martini Lutheri et sequacium (Bull Against the Errors of Martin Luther and his Followers). Rostock: Ludwig Dietz, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, Adversus execrabilem Antichristi bullam (Against the Detestable Bull of the Antichrist). Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter the Younger, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, An den christlichen Adel deutscher Nation (To the Christian Nobles of the German Nation [German]). Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter the Younger, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium (On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, a Prelude [Latin]). Leipzig: Melchior Lotter the Elder, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Thomas Murner (translator), Von der Babylonischen gefengknusz der Kirchen (On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church [German]). Strasbourg: Johann Schott, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, Epistola Lutheriana ad Leonem decimum. Tractatus de libertate Christiana (Letter from Luther to Leo X. Tract on Christian Liberty [Latin]). Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter the Younger, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.

Martin Luther, Von der Freyheyt eynisz Christen menschen (On the Freedom of a Christian [German]). Wittenberg: Johann Rhau–Grunenberg, 1520. Luther Memorials Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt.