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Post by MinnesotaNationalist on May 17, 2017 13:27:22 GMT
The historic animosity and struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor is a famous one, a struggle that often included having the Emperor create a new Pope as a puppet, and the old Pope humiliating or excommunicating the Emperor.
With that said, the Protestant Reformation seemed like a near perfect out for the Emperors, no longer having their will being bent by Rome, they could answer to God alone. But, there was that 1 in a hundred chance that an Emperor who decided to be more friendly to Rome came to power, and as it happened the Pope-friendly Charles V came to the throne just in time for that to happen.
So, what would happen if the Emperor (or any other possible Emperor) had converted to Protestantism?
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Post by steve59 on May 17, 2017 16:18:37 GMT
The historic animosity and struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor is a famous one, a struggle that often included having the Emperor create a new Pope as a puppet, and the old Pope humiliating or excommunicating the Emperor. With that said, the Protestant Reformation seemed like a near perfect out for the Emperors, no longer having their will being bent by Rome, they could answer to God alone. But, there was that 1 in a hundred chance that an Emperor who decided to be more friendly to Rome came to power, and as it happened the Pope-friendly Charles V came to the throne just in time for that to happen. So, what would happen if the Emperor (or any other possible Emperor) had converted to Protestantism? I think, other than personal belief, Charles was also ruler of vast lands outside the HRE. Most noticeably Spain and its American empire as well as territories in Italy. There was virtually no chance of them going Protestant so him deciding to go with Luther would mean massive unrest and probably the quick loss of most of his empire. Also while emperors were often at odds with the papacy they formally gained authority via the church, which would also be lost. Furthermore the chief tool the popes had against emperors were the regional lords, who didn't want a more powerful emperor either. OTL many converted to Protestantism in part so they could seize church lands and also to boost their position against an emperor backed by the church. If Charles had gone Protestant many of the lords might have openly rebelled in 'loyalty' to the Papacy. Another factor is that emperors were elected and was it 3 of the 7 votes at the time belonged to Bishops so even if Charles was able to maintain power during his lifetime he's unlikely to be able to get a desired successor elected. Unless he dissolves the Bishops himself, possibly buying off some of the regional lords by giving much of the land and the elector status to them. However that would be extremely explosive. I think I remember reading that one of the Hapsburg emperors shortly before the 30 Years War broke out was basically willing to recognise the Protestant churches as equals but after his death the Hapsburgs became more Catholic again. Its possible that an emperor might break totally with Rome but even without loss of lands outside the empire and alienating much of southern Europe this is going to be an high risk operation. Fuirthermore, because of his character and other lands Charles V won't try something like that. |
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