Michael G. Baylor - The German Reformation & the Peasants' War: A Brief History with Documents

This short book is intended as a introductory primer for those beginning a look at the German Reformation and the Peasant War, perhaps aimed at American high-school students or undergraduates. Divided into two brief halves, the first part is a decent overview of events by the editor Michael Baylor, placing them in their historical, social, religious and economic context. Baylor highlights the earlier risings that preceded the events of the 1520s, but notes that the risings in 1525 "were on a very different scale". The difference, he suggests, is the immediate presence of the upheaval caused by the Reformation which he says "may have been as important" as underlying class conflicts.

But it is the second half of the book that will be of most interest and use to students of the period. These are a series of reprints of documents and images from the Peasant War which give context to events and the debates raging at the time. Some of these are found easily elsewhere, but pay rereading here. There are the peasants' famous Twelve Articles, which set out their demands for social and economic justice and a new "godly order". In response there are Martin Luther's arguments and then, when the peasants' continue their rebellion, their is Luther's broadside Against the Murdering and Robbing Hordes of Peasants. Reading them together you see how Luther switches dramatically from fraternal engagement to violent denunciation. That said elsewhere in these extracts quotes from Luther makes it clear exactly how he despised insurrection. In response To the Assembly of the Common Peasantry from May 1525, likely published by Christoph Schapperler, a masterful defence of the rebellion and, most importantly, an attack on Luther's arguments that all rebellion is wrong. Its a fascinating deployment of religious argument in a social cause.

Some of the other documents are more unusual. There are reproductions of some pamphlet front pieces which the author explains - useful for those who want to understand the symbolism. I was struck by the central presence of women depicted in some of the images of rebellion. There is also a reprint of a plan by Durer for a monument to the rebellion's defeat. The striking image shows a peasant with a sword embedded on top of a plinth depicting images of rural life and produce. Does the sword show the peasants' murder? Or their betrayal by Luther?

Finally I was really struck by the articles that arose out of the rebellious camps, including the remarkable Field Ordinances of the Franconian Peasantry from April 1525. These ordinances were rules to organise the peasant army, give it discipline and ensure its elected leaders were held to account. They are fascinating revolutionary, democratic, documents and ought to be better know.

All in all this short book will prove a useful and accessible introduction to the Peasant War for most readers and I will returned regularly to it in the coming months as we approach the 500th anniversary.

Related Reviews

Blickle - The Revolution of 1525: The German Peasants' War from a new perspective
Bax - The Peasants War in Germany
Engels - The Peasant War in Germany