Luther Greeted by Crowds as he Arrives in Worms

Aleander, Pope Leo X‘s ambassador to the Diet of Worms was worried. Reports of the crowds cheering Luther on had reached him. He knew the imperial herald and many of the princes, lords and territories were very critical of the Papacy and its supporters. They favored Luther and many of his reforms. He suspected that many in the the Imperial court were also sympathetic to the Wittenberg monk. The Imperial Confessor, Jean Glapion, made a secret offer to meet Luther outside of Worms to come to some kind of settlement. He had the support of several nobles and the future reformer, Martin Bucer. Spalatin did not trust the Franciscan and Luther suspected a trick to invalidate his safe conduct. So Luther declined the offer.

Aleander tried to discourage Luther’s friends from entering the city, claiming they would fall under his excommunication. He tried to get the Imperial Court to have Luther enter the city quietly and stay at the Emperor’s lodging, so that he could be kept away from others. He worried that the court would try to strike a compromise with Luther. He was not successful.

Five Hundred years ago, on April 16th, Luther entered Worms from Mainz. A trumpet fanfare sounded from the cathedral announcing his arrival. The imperial herald led the way, followed by the Wittenberg wagon. Justus Jonas followed on a horse obtained by Saxon nobles for him. Two thousand people are said to have been lining the route. Luther and his party stayed in the same lodging as two of Elector Frederick’s counselors and the imperial marshall, near to the place where the Elector himself was staying. Beginning on the 17th, a steady stream of princes, nobles and lord of all ranks visited with him. One of these was Philip von Hesse, who would later become a Lutheran. Later that morning, the imperial marshall brought Luther a summons to appear before the Diet at 4 O’Clock.