“Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, amen.

Luther refuses to recant at the Diet of Worms

In his 95 Theses issued in 1517, the Austin friar and professor of theology, Martin Luther, questioned certain teachings of the Catholic Church regarding salvation and the possibility of purchasing indulgences to reduce the period spent in purgatory. In later writings, he articulated a more fundamental criticism of medieval teachings, Church practice and the authority and powers of the Church hierarchy. In so doing, he tapped into a deep well of anti-clericalism within Germany and a desire for Church reform. It was this widespread popularity that saved Luther’s life. Following the papal announcement of Luther’s excommunication in 1521, which was usually followed by the sentence of outlawry, his sovereign the Elector of Saxony, placed Luther under his protection.

Before his election as Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V had agreed not to pronounce an imperial ban on anyone without a prior hearing. To this end, he summoned the “recalcitrant monk” to the Diet of Worms in 1521. Luther interpreted this move as an invitation to dispute his theses and was taken aback when it was made clear to him that he had been summoned to recant. Asking for and granted a day of reflection, Luther addressed the assembled diet on 18 April 1521, telling them that that to withdraw his theses would violate his conscience. In the popular version of his answer, given in Latin but spread in German, he concluded with the words: “Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, amen.” As the imperial estates were unable to agree on how to proceed, Luther left a few days later under escort. His royal patron organized a staged ambush near to Eisenach and Martin Luther was whisked off to safety at Wartburg Castle at the beginning of May.