April 20, 1529 - Second Diet of Speyer Begins

Christian History Today. Diet of Speyer historical illustration. Retrieved from Christian History Today website.

The Second Diet of Speyer, taking place on April 20, 1529, was a crucial moment in the Protestant Reformation. The meeting was held in the German city of Speyer under the leadership of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. It was here that Protestantism was officially acknowledged. At the First Diet of Speyer in 1526, German princes had been given some freedom in determining religious matters in their territories. At the second meeting, though, imperial authorities attempted to reinstate Roman Catholic practices. As a result, several German Princes and representatives from fourteen imperial cities issued a formal protest known as the Protestation of Speyer, which defended their right to follow the teachings of reformers like Martin Luther and rejected the attempt to suppress the reforms. This written protest caused supporters of the Reformation to be called “Protestants.”

The term Protestant is widely used today, yet many do not understand the meaning of the term. The term came directly from the protest issued at the Diet of Speyer in 1529. This event was a defining moment in the Protestant movement. It established a clear division between reform-minded Christians and the Roman Catholic church. This event also emphasizes the importance of conscience and Scripture. Reformers believed that biblical truth should take precedence over political or church authority. Additionally, as the princes who signed the protest were willing to challenge authority to defend their beliefs, this piece of history illustrates the importance of holding to conviction.