Reformations across borders: printed German perceptions of the English Reformation 1547-1603

Thesis

This thesis examines German print about England, 1547-1603, adding a transnational perspective to the debate about the Reformations in England and the Holy Roman Empire. This thesis emphasises the extent to which there was a two-way exchange of religious ideas between England and the rest of Europe: continental reformers influenced the English Reformation and English Protestantism also had considerable significance for continental reform. Additionally, this thesis gives due attention to the internationalism of English Catholicism. Each German printed work has been contextualised, and close attention paid to the networks that produced such works - the role of printer, translator and financers. In this way, the depth and breadth of the networks, both Protestant and Catholic, between England and the Empire, are revealed. A focus on print bridges the divide between the local and the transnational.

This thesis is based on a significant corpus of German print about England. This includes works by high-profile English religious figures such as Thomas Cranmer, John Foxe, John Bale, Robert Persons and Edmund Campion. The care taken in translating these English works into German reveals the high levels of German engagement with English events and reflects contemporary religio-political concerns in the Holy Roman Empire. German news pamphlets about England contained a remarkable lack of religious polemic, even about events freighted with religious significance, such as the accession of Mary I. This reflected the Empire’s strong desire after the Peace of Augsburg in 1555 to maintain peace between confessions. English theological texts translated into German were less cautious: Nicolas Sander’s history of the ‘schism’ with Rome excoriated Henry VIII. Yet, even here, there were signs of wanting to bridge divides: English Protestants texts in German translation made calls for Protestant unity. German print about the English Reformation shows us that connection could coexist alongside religious division.

Authors: Shore, K

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-vy0kymgqr
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Elizabeth I; book history; print culture; Francis Drake; Holy Roman Empire; Nicholas Sander; Mary I; Robert Persons; English Reformation; Protestantism; Catholicism; German Reformation; Edmund Campion; John Bale; John Foxe; Thomas Cranmer
• Subjects: Books--History--1450-1600; Sixteenth century; Reformation