Changing One’s Mind: Transformations in Reformation History from a Germanist’s Perspective^*

Abstract

this essay to address a field long underrepresented in Renaissance Quarterly. 1 Colleagues whose very important and attractive studies may not appear here are not to feel slighted. For a bibliographic essay, albeit one intended for use in preparing for German university examinations and comparatively neglecting Anglophone scholarship, see

Structure and Dynamics of Religious Insurgency

“…3 In explaining the Reformation's success, many historians assert that reform was instituted, ultimately, because it served the interests of the rulers of nascent principalities (Brady 1998;Dixon 2000;Schubert 1996;Tracy 1986). Other scholars emphasize the role of literate townsmen among the lower and middle strata of burghers in championing reform as a route to greater civic autonomy and sounder economic policy (Blickle 1992;Karant-Nunn 2005;Moeller 1972;Mörke 2005).…”

“…Economic structure of cities. Several studies ascribe the Reformation to newly emergent commercial classes, the bourgeoisie, and proto-industrial workers such as miners (Blickle 1992;Engels 1966;Karant-Nunn 2005;Moeller 1972). Unfortunately, we could not obtain detailed information on the class structure of a large sample of cities.…”

Causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation

“…First, it is not a historiographical essay and thus does not review the very broad and accomplished historical literature on the Reformation that is primarily narrative in method and principally concerned with description. Whereas a number of useful essays on the historiography of the Reformation already exist (e.g., Brady 1998a; Karant-Nunn 2005;Rittgers 2011) and many more will doubtlessly appear in connection with the upcoming anniversary of 1517, a review of the social scientific literature on the Reformation has not yet appeared. 1 Second, it is concerned with works on the Reformation that have been produced by scholars working within the disciplinary boundaries of economics, political science, and sociology that are intended to yield general explanation.…”