To the elector John Frederick of Saxony - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOHN FREDERICK OF SAXONY

Luther asks the Elector’s aid in the unexpected famine. A “corner” had been created in grain. April 9, 1539.

Grace and peace in Christ, and my poor paternoster, Most Serene Highborn Prince, most gracious Lord! This land has been visited by a sudden famine, so that we are compelled to seek help and counsel from your Grace, as the lord and father of the land. Doubtless your Electoral Highness knows the exact amount of the provisions in the town. But at present Wittenberg is obliged to supply the small towns of Kemberg and Schmiedeberg with bread, so that the provost declares more bread is taken out of the town than is eaten in it. And some believe that the scarcity does not proceed so much from lack of corn as from the greed and wickedness of the rich Junkers. This is giving rise to much talk, but I shall not enlarge on this. It was even said that N. N. was heard to say that he will not sell a grain of corn till he received a gulden for the bushel, and that is why the corn is being sent out of the land. But the Elbe is also to blame in preventing the corn being ground, as the mill has to stand idle because of high

waters. It is a small affliction, but may become very great if your Electoral Grace do not help and advise. Therefore we all beseech your gracious Highness not only to give prompt assistance in our present need, but to pass a law preventing the nobility from trading in corn, thereby practicing usury in such a shameless manner, to the detriment of your Grace’s land and people. They are rich enough without this, and it is not necessary for them, solely through greed, to slay the poor by starvation. But your Electoral Grace will know how to act in the matter in a princely manner. I herewith commend you to the dear Lord Christ. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)