Christian Europe—German Reformation
1350 to 1650
House of Luxembourg to Peace of Westphalia
Era Summary Characters Timeline Reading Assignments
Characters—German Reformation
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Hussite Rebellion | |
1373–1415 |
Initiated a movement based on writings of Wycliffe. Excommunicated, and burned at the stake. |
1361–1419 |
Mentally unstable king of Bohemia best known for allowing execution of Jan Hus and provoking Hussite War. |
1360–1424 |
Leader of the Hussites whose military tactics, were particularly interesting and novel. |
Protestant Leaders | |
1509–1564 |
Protestant Theologian. Influenced French Huguenots, Presbyterian Scots, and English Puritans. |
1483–1546 |
Leader of the Protestant Reformation. Excommunicated by Catholic Church. |
1497–1560 |
Protestant theologian who collaborated with Martin Luther. Served with Luther on the faculty at the University of Wittenberg |
1486–1525 |
Known as the 'Elector of Saxony', a powerful Prince who founded the University of Wittenberg, and supported Luther during his trial for heresy. |
1484–1531 |
Priest who was a critic of the abuses of the Church and an early leader of the Reformation in Zurich, Switzerland. |
1400–1468 |
Invented printing press. Made improvements over many years on types, inks and methods. |
1466–1536 |
Humanist Philosopher and theologian. Befriended Luther, but did not break from the church. |
German Peasant War | |
1489–1525 |
Radical protestant reformer who was a rebel leader during the Peasants War in Germany. |
1480–1562 |
Robber baron who led the peasants uprising in Germany shortly after the protestant reformation. |
Dutch Revolt | |
1533–1584 |
Hero of the Dutch Revolt. Led resistance to the Inquisition and Spanish tyranny. |
1524–1569 |
Admiral of the Dutch Navy. With Egmont, protested Inquisition and was beheaded. |
1522–1568 |
Powerful Noble in Low Countries during Dutch Revolt. Protested Inquisition and was beheaded. |
1567–1625 |
Son of William the Silent and Statholder of the Dtuch Republic after the death of his father. |
1522–1586 |
Half-sister of Philip II of Spain who governed the Netherlands in the early years of the Dutch revolt. |
1545–1592 |
Nephew of Philip III, who governed the Netherlands in the later years of the Dutch revolt. |
Thirty Years War | |
1559–1632 |
One of the two major generals of the HRE imperial forces during the Thirty Years War. |
1583–1634 |
Military leader of the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years War. |
1620–1688 |
Calvinist Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg who made commercial and domestic reforms and laid the groundwork for the rise of Prussia. |
Hapsburg Emperors | |
1218–1291 |
First Hapsburg to hold throne of Germany. Laid foundations of the Hapsburg Empire. |
1459–1519 |
Romantic and chivalrous Emperor. Added Burgundian Lowlands to the Hapsburg Realm. |
1500–1558 |
16th century Hapsburg Emperor who ruled Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and parts of Italy. |
Recommended Reading—German Reformation
Core Reading Assignments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Marshall - The History of Germany | Charles V to Joseph I and Charles VI (12) | |
| Finnemore - Germany: Peeps at History | The Reformation to The Thirty Year's War (2) | |
Supplemental Recommendations | ||
| Aston - Stories from German History | Dawn of the Reformation to The Aftermath (4) | |
| Marshall - The Story of Europe | Beginning of Reformation to Spain and Netherlands (5) | |
| Morris - Historical Tales: German | Ziska, the Blind Warrior to The Siege of Vienna (8) | |
| Singmaster - Martin Luther | entire book | |
| Upton - Youth of the Great Elector | entire book | |
| Upton - Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight | entire book | |
| Upton - William of Orange | entire book | |
| Macgregor - The Netherlands | entire book | |
Easy Reading Selections | ||
| Haaren - Famous Men of Modern Times | Wallenstein to Gustavus Adolphus (2) | |