What special factors helped Protestantism in the Imperial Free Cities?

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  • Created by: Kate H
  • Created on: 18-04-15 20:01

In the Empire there were 65 Imperial Free Cities. Though they owed allegiance to the Emperor, each effectively ruled itself through a city council. 51 became Protestant.

  • Cities were more likely to be exposed to the reform message than the wider countryside. There were higher rates of literacy in the cities- perhaps 20%. The cities were centres of Humanist learning, and printing. The cities were linked to each other by trade routes- the reform message moved along these. Cities were geographically small and could be deeply acffected by the activities of one Evangelical preacher.
  • Cities had well off and influential lay leaders who were used to running…

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