Abstract

In the early 16th century, as humanists like Erasmus were attacking the Church with increasing ardor, it was left to Luther to phrase the call for reformation in decidedly national, even patriotic tones. Facing the onslaught of clerical plundering, he lambasted foreign exploitation: “Now that Italy is drained dry, they are coming into the German countries, and beginning with calculated restraint, but let us watch, for the German countries will soon become like Italy. Already we have a few cardinals. They think the drunken Germans will not understand what the game is, till there is not a single bishopric, monastery, parish or benefice, not a cent or farthing, left for them.”