The Fourth Imperial Diet of Speyer, also referred to as the Diet of 1544,Herzog, p. 46. was a Diet of the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity in Central and Western Europe, usually headed by the Holy Roman Emperor. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium ...

, called together on February 20, 1544 by

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (as Charles I) from 1516 to 1556, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy (as Charles II) ...

. Charles called the meeting because he wanted to fight a war against

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

, which he acknowledged required the support of the Lutheran princes, many of them members of the

Schmalkaldic League The Schmalkaldic League (; ; or ) was a military alliance of Lutheranism, Lutheran Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, principalities and cities within the Holy Roman Empire during the mid-16th century. It received its name from the town of Schm ...

. He received their support by granting them concessions and almost completely abandoning his Catholic position, disregarding the wishes of

Pope Paul III Pope Paul III (; ; born Alessandro Farnese; 29 February 1468 – 10 November 1549) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 October 1534 to his death, in November 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era follo ...

. It was decided at this meeting that no formal action should be taken against the Lutherans until a free council met.Acton, p. 661.

Notes

Bibliography

* * * Schmalkaldic League

Speyer Speyer (, older spelling ; ; ), historically known in English as Spires, is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate in the western part of the Germany, Federal Republic of Germany with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located on the left bank of the r ...

Reformation in Germany 1544 in the Holy Roman Empire 1544 in Christianity 1544 in politics Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Speyer {{Germany-hist-stub

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