One Man, 98 points, one door. How 500 years ago to this date the world changed forever.

As a historian, I try to shy away from stories and narratives that exaggerate the role of one key individual. Whether it is Christopher Columbus' navigational triumph by 'discovering' the Americas, or Ghengis Khan's imperial take over of Eurasia, or more recently Bill Gate's computing domination of Microsoft. Of course in all of these cases, it is fair to recognise that there were many unacknowledged contributors in that making of these events, for better or for worse. So it is natural in these circumstances for someone like myself to study a magnificent event like the reformation through a post-colonial lens. This, however, is not the case. Martin Luther was an exceptional man who did change the world we live in. And I view the 31st October 1517 as the date in which the medieval era ended and humanity, or at least Europe, welcomed in the 'modern' era.


Guttenberg Printing Press. c.1450.

So how did this all come about? So of course Martin Luther who had been working most recently as a priest had eventually had enough of the church and the whole of Christendom for that matter! Of course exploding with rage with enough grievance to write his 98 Theses of things wrong with the church and post it on the door of Wittenberg Cathedral. Normally in these circumstances, nothing would happen and under medieval practice, Luther would be forced to repent and condemn his works or face denunciation as a heretic and condemned to death. The punishment being burnt at the stake. Of course, this happened many times before, reformist views had been held by a range of clergymen during the medieval times, notably those views of  John Hus. However, what makes 1517 the key event for modernity is the technology that was now available. Luther's thesis was taken down and copied by printers, using printing technology developed by Guttenberg which had taken off in the last half of the fifteenth century. So when Martin Luther posted his thesis, he literally posted it on the social media platform of the time. Quickly reproduced, Luther's work's circulated through academic circles and causes a stir in their right. The event marks tribute to the end of the medieval supremacy of the papacy, who now could not control the publications as they had previously been able to. This change in attitude would have a lasting impact on European society and culture. A religion, the one thing that united holy Christendom in the Middle Ages, was now in the midst of self-destruction.


In England, Henry VIII would take advantage of the situation his own political gain. As the opportunity to remarry under reformists separatist attitudes could allow him to marry Anne Boleyn and secure Tudor succession with a male heir. Unfortunately, this plan did not work how for Henry, but the effect of England break with Rome had a hugely significant impact on English society. Who's values and attitudes would distinguish them from their European oppressors, to whom wished to control their own affairs, religious and secular. In this sense, we can see these concerns in Britain 2017 as Article 50 is triggered, as we once again wish to take back control from Europe. A poignant curse of the notion in which history is repeated. Just like in 1517, 2017 is an important year in Europe's history, this year All Saint's Eve is perhaps equally not lacking in political turbulence.


Bibliography:
Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950).

Randell, Keith. Henry VIII and the Government of England, (London: Hodder Education; 2001).

Rex, Richard. Henry VIII. (Gloucestershire: Amberly Publishing Plc, 2009).

Robin A. Leaver, "Luther's Catechism Hymns: 5. Baptism." Lutheran Quarterly 1998 12(2): 160–169, 170–180.

Lucas, Henry S. The Renaissance and the Reformation Second Edition  (New York: Harper Brothers, 1960).

Maritain, Jacques (1941). Three Reformers: Luther, Descartes, Rousseau. (New York: C. Scriber's Sons).