To the elector Albrecht, Archbishop of Mayence - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR ALBRECHT, ARCHBISHOP OF MAYENCE

The Elector threatened Ludwig Rabe for having spoken at Luther’s table of the unjust fate of Hans

Schanz.

July 31, 1535.

Repentance and forgiveness of sins, Most High-born Prince and gracious Lord! I address this letter to you, not in the hope that anything advantageous will come of it, but to relieve my conscience before God and the world, in case my silence should be construed into acquiescence of the injustice perpetrated. Ludwig Rabe allowed me to read the letter in which your Grace threatens and forbids him again speaking of the glorified Hans Schanz. As he is my boarder and sits at my table, I can testify,

and doubtless your Highness is also aware, that this is not true, so I can only conclude that your Grace is stabbing me through a fence, being angry at what good people hear talked of; for I can testify that Ludwig Rabe sits at my table like a maiden, and often speaks more good of his fine Archbishop than I can take in, and does not run about the town, but sits quietly in his room. Besides, the whole town was ringing with Schanz’s misfortune before Ludwig and I heard of it, and we could hardly credit that Hans Schanz should be hanged in such a shameful manner by his dearest lord. Neither Ludwig nor I

invented this tale, and the Cardinal’s name was held up to execration without our aid. As it is now

thought that the accusation is aimed at me, I now beg of you to leave my table and house guest unmolested, for I shall rather believe what honest people say of Schanz than listen to what your gracious or ungracious Highness (it is all one) should assert. For I do not sit here at your Grace’s will that I should shut the mouths and punish the lies of those who speak well of Hans Schanz and evil of his Cardinal, and I trust your Grace will not hurry me off so swiftly to the gallows as you did Hans! I shall always express my opinion freely, and repeat any gossip I may hear of your Grace to good

friends, even as I am compelled to put up with your Grace’s conduct towards me. For although I do not believe what is said of Hans Schanz and in favour of his Cardinal (although as yet I have heard nothing of the kind), still I shall be pardoned for such sins without any indulgences from your Grace. And

should your Grace hang all those who not only in this but in other things speak despitefully of your Grace, there would not be rope enough in Germany to do it, not to speak of many who would not so easily permit themselves to be hanged, and thus some would needs remain unhanged by the doughty Cardinal; and even the hanging of many would not suppress the outcry. And I believe (and no cardinal hangman shall forbid this, for thoughts are not taxable) that had Hans Schanz been tried outside Halle he would have remained unhanged, which is the general opinion. Perhaps they may still sing this song where your Grace has not the power to hang the people. I further believe that had Ludwig been seized in Halle, as you tried to seize him in Leipsic, he would have been hanged long ago, and then he would have had to be silent about Hans. Should your Electoral Grace wish to know how long such an outcry has existed in German lands against you, I must inform you it began about fifteen years ago, dating from the indulgences, and all against so holy a man. If you wish to get rid of this evil reputation forbid the outcry in other places besides Halle, especially that regarding the Pope’s ban, which finds little favor with the merchants, and these seldom allude to Hans Schanz’s business. For being forcibly prevented speaking of him at Halle does not injure his cause, but the Cardinal’s conduct does, even as the cry of Magister George Winkler’s blood (of which I wrote your Grace) becomes, with time, the longer, the louder, and I believe it will never be stilled till it is avenged. This is the last letter which I

shall write to your Grace, even as the Prophet Elijah wrote to King Jehoram to justify himself, for I look for no improvement, even as little as did Elijah from his Jehoram. I must console myself with the thought that your august Holiness cannot hang everyone who wishes you evil (although it would be possible to hang all who wish you well), but permit our Lord God to let the ring hang on the doors of His Church, and allow some to live, till the real tormentor (Henker ) attacks yourself. Amen.

MARTIN LUTHER, Preacher at WITTENBERG. (De Wette.)