A diet of worms...

Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms

On this day in 1521,  Martin Luther appeared before the Diet of Worms to be questioned by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and leaders of other states of the empire.  I assume a light
lunch was served afterwards.

The term Diet used in this instance refers to a formal deliberative assembly, but similar to today's use, it was generally not a good thing to be asked to participate in.  Worms, is simply the location of the proceeding; Worms, Germany.

Before there was a Diet of Worms, there was the Edict of Worms.  Much like a warrant for arrest issued to insure appearance in court, the Edict of Worms laid out the charges that Martin Luther would be facing at the Diet.

Martin Luther had published his 95 Theses, (a condemnation of the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church - including the sale of indulgences, misuse of church funds and a rather zealous guarding of the interpretations of the bible) he was, of course, charged with being a heretic.

On this day, Martin Luther will stand and hear the charges against him, his thoughts and his writings...and will have the opportunity to recant all of those and be released of the charges...or not, and be punished for the crimes.

Consider this THI's first serial post.  Tune in tomorrow to see what Martin Luther does.

In the meantime, let's drink. I don't usually include beers, but this week's events simply cry out for beer.

The Historical Inebriant:  Einbecker Ur Bock Bier
http://www.impactlab.net/2008/08/15/the-beers-of-martin-luther/

The Untold 411:
Booze, Babes and Fish Barrels - What you didn't know about Martin Luther
http://www.pbs.org/empires/martinluther/cheats.html

The rock n roll Luther

For Michael:

On this day in 1941 – Bob Feller pitches for the Cleveland Indians and throws the only opening day no-hitter in the history of Major League Baseball. Cleveland would beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0.  I say we lift a cold one!