Read more
This book explores a significant historical event in sixteenth-century European history. The Italian crusade against the German Lutherans in 1546 was, for many reasons, the catalyst for the military phase of the Lutheran opposition in Germany's clash with Emperor Charles V (1546-1555). Contributing to literature which has generally interpreted the conflict between Charles V and the Roman-German Empire as an internal German affair, this book highlights the military involvement and participation of Pope Paul III in the initial phase of the so-called Schmalkaldic War, which took place from 1546-1547. Rather than the papal army acting peripherally through 'auxiliary military contingents' as it had done in previous years, the author argues that the Pope was directly involved in the war, sending a large army from Rome to suppress the heretical movement.
Outlining the technical advance of the papal army while still on Italian territory, its campaign across the Alps into Germany, and its military activities in the early stages of the war, this book provides a new perspective on the diplomatic negotiations that led to the imperial-papal alliance in 1546. It sheds light on the development of the crusade, and its eventual failure, illustrating the worsening relationship between the Pope and the Emperor, and its influence on subsequent political development.
List of contents
1. Introduction.- 2. The Search for Confessional Compromise, 1538-1542.- 3. Habsburgs or France?: The Pope Sets the Price of his Alliance, 1542-1545.- 4. Germany at a Crossroads, 1545-1546.- 5. Preparation for the Crusade in Italy and the March across the Alps, 1546.- 6. Combat Deployment of Papal Troops on the Southern Front of the Schmalkaldic War.- 7. The Disintegration of the Papal Army in Germany and its Return to Italy, 1546-1547.- 8. Consequences of the Crusade on Political and Confessional Development.- 9. The 'Second Life' of the Crusade to Germany in 1546: The Farnese Family Tradition.- 10. Conclusion.
About the author
Petr Vorel is Professor of History at the University of Pardubice, in the Czech Republic. His research explores late medieval and early modern Czech and central European history, with a focus on economic history and the history of monetary circulation.
Summary
This book explores a significant historical event in sixteenth-century European history. The Italian crusade against the German Lutherans in 1546 was, for many reasons, the catalyst for the military phase of the Lutheran opposition in Germany's clash with Emperor Charles V (1546-1555). Contributing to literature which has generally interpreted the conflict between Charles V and the Roman-German Empire as an internal German affair, this book highlights the military involvement and participation of Pope Paul III in the initial phase of the so-called Schmalkaldic War, which took place from 1546-1547. Rather than the papal army acting peripherally through 'auxiliary military contingents' as it had done in previous years, the author argues that the Pope was directly involved in the war, sending a large army from Rome to suppress the heretical movement.
Outlining the technical advance of the papal army while still on Italian territory, its campaign across the Alps into Germany, and its military activities in the early stages of the war, this book provides a new perspective on the diplomatic negotiations that led to the imperial-papal alliance in 1546. It sheds light on the development of the crusade, and its eventual failure, illustrating the worsening relationship between the Pope and the Emperor, and its influence on subsequent political development.
