Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German professor of theology, priest, and seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, he published his famous Ninety-Five Theses, which criticized certain practices of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the selling of indulgences. This sparked a theological debate that ultimately led to the splitting of Western Christendom between Catholics and Protestants.
Luther’s teachings emphasized the authority of scripture over papal authority and the doctrine of justification by faith alone rather than by good works. These ideas directly contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church at the time and were considered radical and dangerous. Luther was threatened with excommunication by Pope Leo X in 1520 after he refused to recant. He was declared an outlaw by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1521.
To protect him from arrest, Luther’s benefactor, Prince Frederick III, hid him at Wartburg Castle. It was during this time in exile that Luther translated the New Testament into German, an important step in making the Bible accessible to the common people. When Luther emerged from exile, he continued to promote his reformatory ideas, gaining a significant following and challenging the authority of the Catholic Church.
Luther’s Imprisonment at Wartburg Castle
In April 1521, Luther was summoned to the Diet of Worms, an imperial assembly convened by Charles V. He was called to appear before the assembly to defend his writings and recant his statements against the Catholic Church. Luther refused to recant and stood firmly by his convictions.
On May 25, 1521, Charles V issued the Edict of Worms, declaring Luther an outlaw and a heretic. The edict called for Luther’s arrest and punishment, permitting anyone to kill him without consequence. This made Luther a wanted man with a price on his head.
To protect him, Prince Frederick III staged a kidnapping of Luther on his way back from Worms and hid him at Wartburg Castle under the alias “Junker Jörg” (Knight George). Luther remained at the castle from May 1521 to March 1522. This nine month period is sometimes referred to as Luther’s “captivity” or imprisonment at Wartburg.
However, it should be noted that Luther was not technically a prisoner at Wartburg Castle. He was hidden there for his own protection and could have left if he wanted to. Nevertheless, Luther himself did sometimes refer to this period as his “prison time.” He was kept in isolation and restraint to remain undiscovered.
Luther’s Activities at Wartburg Castle
During his stay at the castle, Luther grew a beard and wore the clothes of a knight to conceal his identity. However, he was still quite active with writing and translating while in hiding. Some of Luther’s major accomplishments at Wartburg include:
- Translating the New Testament into German – This translation from Greek into the vernacular helped make the Bible much more accessible to ordinary Germans.
- Continued writing prolifically – Luther wrote attacks against Archbishop Albrecht, refutations of Catholic claims, and numerous theological essays. These were secretly delivered to printers.
- Produced thirty-five hymns – Luther’s hymns, including “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” helped establish congregational singing in Lutheran church services.
So despite being in isolation, Luther’s time at Wartburg Castle was quite intellectually productive. He laid important groundwork for establishing Lutheran doctrine and practice. The fact that he translated the New Testament while under threat of arrest is considered particularly impactful.
Challenges Luther Faced at Wartburg Castle
Although his time at Wartburg Castle afforded Luther protection, he did face some significant challenges:
- Isolation and boredom – Accustomed to an active public life, Luther at times struggled with the isolation and inactivity of being hidden away.
- Physical issues – He suffered from digestive issues, dizzy spells, and ringing in his ears. Some scholars suggest he may have had Ménière’s disease.
- Spiritual turmoil – Luther agonized over doubts about his reform efforts and experienced haunting spiritual attacks of the devil.
- Unrest in Wittenberg – More radical reformers were introducing changes in Wittenberg against Luther’s wishes, causing disorder and instability.
Luther’s letters from Wartburg reveal a man under tremendous mental strain. The pressures of isolation, illness, spiritual attacks, and unrest in Wittenberg at times severely depressed him. But ultimately Luther persevered through these tribulations.
Highlights from Luther’s time at Wartburg Castle
Here are some key dates and events during Luther’s stay at Wartburg Castle from May 1521 to March 1522:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 4, 1521 | Luther is “kidnapped” for his own protection after refusing to recant at the Diet of Worms |
| May 26, 1521 | Charles V issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Luther an outlaw |
| May 16, 1522 | Luther arrives in secret at Wartburg Castle |
| December 1521 | Luther completes his translation of the New Testament into German |
| March 1522 | Luther leaves Wartburg Castle and returns to Wittenberg |
This nine month period at Wartburg Castle was one of the most significant episodes of Luther’s life. Despite being in protective custody, Luther managed to evade capture and furthered the Protestant Reformation through his writings and translation while there.
Why Did Luther Leave Wartburg Castle?
By March 1522, Luther determined it was time to leave the security of Wartburg Castle. A few key factors contributed to this decision:
- The immediate danger to his life seemed to have lessened somewhat.
- Reports reached him that inappropriate changes were being hastily implemented in Wittenberg without his oversight and approval.
- He finished translating the New Testament into German.
- He had been isolated from public life for nearly a year and was eager to return.
Luther wanted to retake control of the reform movement and halt some of the more radical changes. He no longer felt content to direct things from afar while in hiding. This prompted his dramatic secret departure from Wartburg Castle.
Luther’s Return to Wittenberg (1522)
Luther left Wartburg Castle in March 1522, traveling in secret back to Wittenberg. This was a dangerous move, as Luther risked arrest and execution by appearing publicly. However, he wished to address the unrest and restore order in Wittenberg.
When Luther returned, he gave eight sermons from March 9-16 on topics like the proper pace of reform and resisting violence. He stressed that change should not be rushed and that education must come before external changes. Luther ultimately succeeded in reassuring the nervous congregation and calming the upheaval in Wittenberg.
By the end of 1522, Luther had resumed his teaching duties at the University of Wittenberg and his leadership of the reform movement. His time in exile was over. Luther continued to be a target, but he was emboldened by the support of certain German princes and his faith in the cause.
Impact of Luther’s Wartburg Period
Luther’s time at Wartburg Castle proved to be instrumental for the Reformation for several reasons:
- It kept Luther safely out of reach from those who sought to arrest or kill him. During his stay, Luther was able to write prolifically without fear of capture.
- His translation of the New Testament established the foundation for the popularization of the Bible in German. This allowed ordinary people to read the Bible for the first time.
- His continued writing allowed him to further clarify his theological ideas and arguments against the Catholic Church. The literature he produced was widely distributed.
- His hymns and emphasis on congregational singing left a lasting impact on Lutheran church services.
- His isolation gave him time to grapple with doubts and solidify his convictions. He emerged even more resolute.
So despite the challenges of his time in exile, Luther’s sojourn at Wartburg Castle helped safeguard the progress of the Reformation at a perilous time and equip Luther for the long struggle ahead.
Questions About Luther at Wartburg Castle
Why did Luther go to Wartburg Castle?
Luther went to Wartburg Castle in May 1521 for his own protection after refusing to recant his writings critical of the Catholic Church at the Diet of Worms. He was “kidnapped” by his protector, Prince Frederick III, to prevent his arrest and likely execution per the Edict of Worms issued by Charles V.
How long was Luther at Wartburg Castle?
Luther was at Wartburg Castle for about nine months, from May 1521 to March 1522. This period is often referred to as his exile or time in hiding.
What did Luther do during his time at the castle?
During his stay at Wartburg Castle, Luther focused on writing prolifically, translating the New Testament into German, composing hymns, and grappling with theological doubts. This was a very intellectually productive time for him.
Why did Luther leave Wartburg Castle?
By March 1522, Luther decided to leave the security of the castle because he wanted to address the unrest caused by rapid reforms in Wittenberg, solidify his theological arguments, and resume his public leadership of the reform movement. The immediate threat to his safety had also diminished somewhat.
How did Wartburg Castle impact Luther’s life and the Reformation?
Luther’s time at Wartburg Castle provided security at a time when he faced arrest and execution. It enabled him to produce critical writings and translate the New Testament which furthered the Reformation. His isolation also gave him time to solidify his convictions.
Conclusion
Martin Luther’s period of exile at Wartburg Castle from 1521 to 1522 proved vitally important for the progress of the Protestant Reformation. While hidden away to avoid arrest, Luther produced writings and translations that spread his reformatory ideas widely. His German New Testament established the Scriptures in the vernacular. Though isolated and facing doubts, Luther left Wartburg with renewed conviction. His daring return to public ministry in 1522 allowed him to retake the reins of the reform movement. Luther’s time at Wartburg Castle enabled him to evade capture while paradoxically furthering the cause that made him an outlaw in the first place. His prolific writings and pioneering work left an indelible mark on the Reformation during this crucial period of exile and isolation.