Fourth Diet of Speyer
Encyclopedia
The Fourth Imperial Diet of Speyer, also referred to as the Diet of 1544, was a meeting of princes in the Holy Roman Empire
, called together on February 20, 1544 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
. Charles called the meeting because he wanted to fight a war against France
, which he acknowledged required the support of the Lutheran princes, many of them members of the Schmalkaldic League
. He received their support by granting them concessions and almost completely abandoning his Catholic position, disregarding the wishes of Pope Paul III
. It was decided at this meeting that no formal action should be taken against the Lutherans until a free council met.
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, called together on February 20, 1544 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
. Charles called the meeting because he wanted to fight a war against France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, which he acknowledged required the support of the Lutheran princes, many of them members of the Schmalkaldic League
Schmalkaldic League
The Schmalkaldic League was a defensive alliance of Lutheran princes within the Holy Roman Empire during the mid-16th century. Although originally started for religious motives soon after the start of the Protestant Reformation, its members eventually intended for the League to replace the Holy...
. He received their support by granting them concessions and almost completely abandoning his Catholic position, disregarding the wishes of Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation...
. It was decided at this meeting that no formal action should be taken against the Lutherans until a free council met.