The Protestant Break Leo X 1513-21 - 1605 Words

This resumà © will detail a single chapter of Barbara Tuchman’s work The March of Folly, which is â€Å"The Protestant Break: Leo X 1513-21.† The topic of Tuchman’s discussion in the chapter is the nature of Leo X’s reign as the pope and the effect that it had on history. Following the examination of other renaissance papacies in previous chapters, Tuchman continues a study of how the era’s popes provoked the Protestant secession. â€Å"The Protestant Break: Leo X 1513-21† is a salient chapter, however, in that it is during Leo X’s reign that Martin Luther nails his 95 theses to the church door and indirectly launches the Reformation. Tuchman’s main argument in the chapter is that the worldly and extravagant nature of Leo X’s papacy failed to prevent, and rather was complicit in, the sparking and proliferation of the Protestant Reformation. It is important to note that Tuchman accurately states it was not Leo’s ti me as pope alone which caused the reformation, it simply exacerbated existing discontent and provided a rallying revolt. The supporting arguments are broken into two subsections of the chapter. Tuchman first generally shows that Leo X was a hedonist far removed from the supposed holiness of his position, and that his fervent spending frequently required him to turn to unscrupulous methods of paying his debts. Thus, there was a growing massive pressure for reform. Secondly, Tuchman argues that indulgences specifically are to blame for provoking open revolt. Friar Tetzel’sShow MoreRelatedEssay about Renaissance Figures2969 Words   |  12 Pageswound, and the plot collapsed. In spite of the attacks of Girolamo Savonarola, Lorenzo allowed him to continue preaching. Lorenzos historical significance was being a patron of Bottielli and Michaelangelo. His second son later became pope as Leo X. ? Henry VIII lived from 1491--1547, and he reigned from 1509--1547. He married his brother Arthurs widow, Katharine of Arogon, who bore him a daughter, MARY I. His chief minister, Thomas Wolsey, concluded an alliance with Francis I of FranceRead MoreHenry Viii and the English Reformation4950 Words   |  20 Pagesresult of a state policy driven by Henry VIII? It is indeed simplistic to consider Henry VIII as the sole reason for the English Reformation. According to A.G. Dickens, the movement towards reformation began before the actions that lead to the official break from the Roman Catholicism. Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir drove his desire for separation. This fact coupled with the political, religious, and social factors of the day converged resulting in what became the English Reformation. Haigh states