The Reformation in the Holy Roman Empire (1517–1555)

1. Luther circulates the Ninety-five Theses

   Oct 31, 1517Labels: Martin Luther, Wittenberg

   • Britannica
   • LQ Timeline

2. Pope Leo X issues Exsurge Domine

   Jun 15, 1520Labels: Pope Leo, Papal Bull

   • Britannica
   • Book of Concord

3. Luther is formally excommunicated

   Jan 3, 1521Labels: Decet Romanum, Martin Luther

   • Britannica
   • Book of Concord

4. Luther refuses to recant at Worms

   Apr 18, 1521Labels: Diet of, Martin Luther

   • Britannica
   • Worms City

5. Edict of Worms bans Luther and his works

   May 8, 1521Labels: Edict of, Emperor Charles

   • Worms City
   • Britannica

6. First Diet of Speyer allows temporary local discretion

   Aug 27, 1526Labels: Diet of, German territories

   • Speyer 1526

7. Second Diet of Speyer sparks the “Protestant” label

   Apr 19, 1529Labels: Diet of, Protestant Princes

   • Speyer Protest
   • BMA Collection

8. Marburg Colloquy fails to unite reformers

   Oct 1, 1529Labels: Marburg Colloquy, Martin Luther

   • Britannica

9. Augsburg Confession presented to Charles V

   Jun 25, 1530Labels: Augsburg Confession, Diet of

   • Britannica

10. Schmalkaldic League formed for collective defense

    Feb 1, 1531Labels: Schmalkaldic League, Protestant Princes

    • Britannica

11. Schmalkaldic War breaks out between emperor and league

    Jul 10, 1546Labels: Schmalkaldic War, Emperor Charles

    • Schmalkaldic War

12. Imperial victory at the Battle of Mühlberg

    Apr 24, 1547Labels: Battle of, Imperial Army

    • M hlberg
    • EBSCO

13. Capitulation of Wittenberg shifts Saxon power

    May 19, 1547Labels: Capitulation of, John Frederick

    • Wittenberg
    • Schmalkaldic War

14. Augsburg Interim attempts to impose a temporary settlement

    May 15, 1548Labels: Augsburg Interim, Charles V

    • Augsburg Interim
    • Britannica

15. Treaty of Passau halts enforcement and restarts negotiations

    Aug 2, 1552Labels: Treaty of, Ferdinand

    • Britannica
    • Passau

16. Peace of Augsburg legalizes Lutheranism in the empire

    Sep 25, 1555Labels: Peace of, Holy Roman

    • Britannica