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Summary: Fourth edition of the "Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," one of Luther's most important pamphlets, in which he develops some of the central ideas of his theology, including the principle of universal priesthood. He also discusses the possibility of a German national church.

Summary: Fourth edition of the "Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," one of Luther's most important pamphlets, in which he develops some of the central ideas of his theology, including the principle of universal priesthood. He also discusses the possibility of a German national church.

A woodcut depicting the blessing and coronation of a queen. The queen kneels behind the king who petitions the bishop to bless and crown her. The scene is flanked by a pair of cherubs holding rings and kneeling on helmets. The woodcut is reused throughout the work.

A woodcut depicting the blessing and coronation of a queen. The queen kneels behind the king who petitions the bishop to bless and crown her. The scene is flanked by a pair of cherubs holding rings and kneeling on helmets. The woodcut is reused throughout the work.

An engraving depicting a portrait of Frederick IV, Duke of Austria, with his coat of arms below the portrait.

An engraving depicting a portrait of Frederick IV, Duke of Austria, with his coat of arms below the portrait.

An engraving depicting a debate between Jacob de Roore, the Chandler, and Friar Cornelius before de Roore's execution. The image shows de Roore chained in a dungeon, sitting across from the friar and two noblemen as they debate.

An engraving depicting a debate between Jacob de Roore, the Chandler, and Friar Cornelius before de Roore's execution. The image shows de Roore chained in a dungeon, sitting across from the friar and two noblemen as they debate.

An engraving depicting Hans Knevel before the margrave. The image shows Knevel, bound and with a chain on his leg, brought before the margrave after being arrested.

An engraving depicting Hans Knevel before the margrave. The image shows Knevel, bound and with a chain on his leg, brought before the margrave after being arrested.

An engraving depicting a ceremony of the Ordre du Saint-Esprit, a French chivalric order.

An engraving depicting a ceremony of the Ordre du Saint-Esprit, a French chivalric order.

A pair of engravings depicting the Pope opening the Holy Door at one of the four basilicas which grant indulgences to pilgrims during the Holy Year (top) and a detailed view of the raised seating where members of the nobility can sit to watch the ceremony of opening the Holy Door (bottom).

A pair of engravings depicting the Pope opening the Holy Door at one of the four basilicas which grant indulgences to pilgrims during the Holy Year (top) and a detailed view of the raised seating where members of the nobility can sit to watch the ceremony of opening the Holy Door (bottom).

An engraving depicting the execution of Matthias Servaes. The image shows Servaes being led towards the execution site with hands held in prayer (right) while a young man (left) and woman (right) who had wished to speak with him and were apprehended are ordered to be releasted by a nobleman (right, on horse).

An engraving depicting the execution of Matthias Servaes. The image shows Servaes being led towards the execution site with hands held in prayer (right) while a young man (left) and woman (right) who had wished to speak with him and were apprehended are ordered to be releasted by a nobleman (right, on horse).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) dressed as a laborer preparing to hit a count with the symbol of his authority: his family coat of arms. The objects and ornaments of his coat of arms are seen scattered on the ground. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Psalms 48 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) dressed as a laborer preparing to hit a count with the symbol of his authority: his family coat of arms. The objects and ornaments of his coat of arms are seen scattered on the ground. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Psalms 48 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) placing a necklace of bones around the neck of a countess. An hour-glass, representing time, sits on her table. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Job 21 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) placing a necklace of bones around the neck of a countess. An hour-glass, representing time, sits on her table. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Job 21 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting two skeletons (= Death) appearing before a duchess in her bed. One skeleton plays the violin, while the other pulls at her bed sheets. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from 2 Kings 1 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting two skeletons (= Death) appearing before a duchess in her bed. One skeleton plays the violin, while the other pulls at her bed sheets. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from 2 Kings 1 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) reaching for a duke, while a woman pleads before him over her child. In the upper left-hand corner is an hourglass representing human mortality. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Ezekiel 7 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) reaching for a duke, while a woman pleads before him over her child. In the upper left-hand corner is an hourglass representing human mortality. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Ezekiel 7 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a nobleman fighting with a skeleton which represents Death. Behind the nobleman is an hourglass representing human mortality. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Psalms 88 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a nobleman fighting with a skeleton which represents Death. Behind the nobleman is an hourglass representing human mortality. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Psalms 88 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) beating a drum in front of a noble lady and her admirer. An hourglass, the reminder of human mortality, is in the bottom right corner. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Ruth 1 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).

A woodcut depicting a skeleton (= Death) beating a drum in front of a noble lady and her admirer. An hourglass, the reminder of human mortality, is in the bottom right corner. The woodcut is accompanied by a verse from Ruth 1 translated into French (top) and then reformatted into verse (bottom).