Station: [39] Reformation

“Most likely Rutger von der Horst was born during the autumn of 1519, during a time of epochal revolution – the reformation. The Roman church was forced to share its theological and secular claim to power with the new Protestant churches and the strengthened Protestant lords. The first decades following Martin Luther’s publication of his 95 theses in 1517 were a time of uncertainty, denunciation and the first great religious war in Germany: the Schmalkaldic war.

Many people were unsure as to which confession to follow. If possible, most kept their options open to switch during a conflict in order to stand amongst the victors. Most likely, Rutger adopted a curiously observant attitude in the face of this impenetrable situation. Although he kept a Luther Bible in his library, he shied away from a public change of confession, most likely to avoid a violent confrontation with the catholic electoral prince of Cologne. His hesitance may also have been the result of his supporting a compromise of a reformed catholic church.”