Page 23 - All About History - Issue 53-17

4 FAMOUS…
How not to…
create a reformation pamphlet REFORMATION

Early modern printing was an imperfect corrupt and ruin my books so badly in
process. The paper used for pamphlets the process”. Texts were churned out so PAMPHLETEERS
was of poor quality, copy-editing protocols quickly “that when they come back to me
were often sloppy, and printers usually I no longer recognise them”. Something
rushed works through the presses to steal was always “missing in that place; that
a march on their competitors. In 1525, bit has been transposed; that part has not
Luther addressed a preface to “my dear been corrected”. Luther was also alert to
printers, who so openly rob and steal widespread piracy and insisted on the
from each other”. He would have been use of complex type that was difficult to
willing to tolerate the fraud and theft replicate. Rogue versions of his works still
within the industry if only they “did not did good business.
MARTIN LUTHER
WITTENBERG, 1483-1546
The originator of the Reformation
and its most energetic
pamphleteer. In 1523 alone he
produced more than 50
significant works.

HANS SACHS
NUREMBERG, 1494-1576
Not all pamphleteers were learned
theologians. Sachs, a cobbler
REVISE YOUR MESSAGE DISTRIBUTE
by trade, produced dozens of
It’s all about reacting to circumstances. When your Build network of trusted couriers and establish markets important pamphlets and was one
03 enemies throw pamphlets back at you, as they surely 04 in towns with thriving academic and commercial of Luther’s greatest supporters.
will, reply in print immediately. Use their criticisms to show communities. And keep prices low! If you’re trying to spread
how wide they are off the mark. Don’t be afraid of fine-tuning your message to other places, be aware that Catholic authorities
your ideas, and follow the news: if you can link your theological are constantly on the look out for pamphlet smugglers and will
message to social or political concerns, then so much the better. inflict terrible punishments on anyone they catch.

LUCAS CRANACH
WITTENBERG, 1472-1553
The images in pamphlets were
crucial and Cranach, an intimate
friend of Luther, took time out from
loftier artistic pursuits to become a
master of the pamphlet woodcut.

FIND YOUR AUDIENCE DEFEND YOURSELF ULRICH ZWINGLI
You want to appeal to as much of society as possible. If someone threatens to excommunicate you, take it
05 Latin texts will go down well with the literati, but they 06 in your stride. Burn the papers publicly if need be. If ZURICH, 1484-1531
are only going to get you so far. The people in the alehouses you’re hauled before some tribunal, they’ll want you to trip Zwingli led the religious
and the markets want pamphlets in a language they can yourself up so just remain calm and hammer out the basics of transformation of Zurich. As
reflected in his pamphlets, his
understand. Using stories from everyday life will always go your beliefs. Above all, watch out for dissension in your own theological vision departed in © Ed Crooks
down well, and a little humour goes a long way. ranks: don’t let the radicals hijack your message. radical ways from Luther’s.

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