How the future Hungarian Palatine Werbőczy tried to “convert” Martin Luther in a completely novel way
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1521 marked a turning point in Hungary’s history. In September of the previous year, Suleiman I (1520–1566) had assumed control of the Ottoman Empire. Hungarian intelligence knew one thing with certainty: the Ottoman forces would no longer focus on eastern or African conquests but would instead launch invasions towards the northwest. Hungary became the primary target and desperately sought help from the European powers of the era, especially the Holy Roman Empire. It was in this context that István Werbőczy, a well-educated leader of the Hungarian nobility and later palatine, attempted to persuade Martin Luther through theological debate — possibly the first politician to prefer dialogue over command.
Hungary alone against the Ottoman superpower
The Jagiellonian Kingdom of Hungary (1490–1526) was neither anarchic nor economically collapsed, but it was powerless to stand alone against the Ottoman invaders. This was precisely why the nobles had chosen a Jagiellonian monarch after the death of the great King Matthias (1458–1490). The nobility hoped that the Poland-based dynasty, which had successfully defended the Czech throne against Matthias Corvinus, could stop Suleiman.
In 1521, Louis II was only about fifteen years old but acutely aware of the dangers. He sent envoys mainly to the German Imperial Diets to ask for support. This was plausible: Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and brother of Emperor Charles V, frequently suffered Ottoman raids on his territories, making the German estates more open to funding and sending troops for defence.
A fractured Europe divided further by Luther’s teachings
Europe’s diplomatic landscape was dangerously tangled. Even the most “Christian” kings, such as the French King Francis I, were inclined towards cooperation with the Ottomans. Amid this turmoil, the rapid spread of Lutheran doctrines deeply divided the German states of the Holy Roman Empire.
Since Luther had nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Wittenberg church door in 1517, a great divide had formed by 1521 between Luther, his critics, and those threatening him with death. After initial neglect, the Pope commissioned theologians to defeat Luther through debate. The aim was to keep the German Church among the strong allies of Rome. After repeated failures, the Pope excommunicated Luther in 1520. However, this papal bull was almost impossible to enforce in most German territories, where resistance soon erupted into violence with fatal consequences.
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Imperial diet to avoid civil war
Fearing civil war, Emperor Charles V summoned the Imperial Diet to Worms with the intention of condemning Luther again — this time with an imperial ban. But the Emperor needed to hear Luther in person, which had not happened before. Until then, politicians had avoided serious debate with Luther, leaving it to theologians, who had failed to make an impact.
