Ep.134 - The Road to Reformation: Wars and Rumours of Wars

To many, the sixteenth century reformation conjures up almost romantic images of sacrifice, heroism and courage far beyond the call of duty. And yet there was a darker side to all the heroics and sacrifice. A side of brutal conflict, of hostile intolerance, and violent partisanship. The German Peasants Revolt of 1524, the horrors of the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre of 1572 and the thirty years Europe-wide war beginning in 1618; are just some examples of the darker, more distasteful realities of the European reformation .

This week the Curious team pause to reflect on the darker, less celebrated aspects of what was a deeply conflicted religious and political struggle. They will take a more thoughtful look at the peasants war, asking the question why the outcome succeeded in placing Luther in a less than favourable light. They will reflect on the atrocities of Paris in August 1572, and the prolonged conflict that swallowed up most of Europe in the decades between 1618 to 1648.

In this eighth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team explore when Europe went to war and religion and politics showed their more troublesome sides. Join the Curious team this week as they walk the basement of reformation hostility

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
German Peasants' War - WorldHistory.org

The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day - HuguenotSociety.org.uk

The Thirty Years War - BBC.co.uk

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

Bruce Gordon — Calvin

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin: Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

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