Caritas Pirckheimer
Caritas Pirckheimer
(Early Modern Period 1524-1528)
Caritas Pirckheimer, held the position of an abbess in her convent, and encountered religious conflicts during her time in Nuremberg, Germany, St. Claire church. Between the years of 1524 to 1528, the Reformation created an issue where Pirckheimer, defended her cloister and sisters' rights in the City council's attempt to close it down and force the members to renounce their vows. The council made an effort to replace the Franciscans, who had been preachers and confessors to St. Claire, with different preachers who advocated the doctrine of Lutheranism (68). These efforts turned out to be problematic because the teachings of the Lutherans preached Christian freedom, and the idea that the laws of the Church and oaths of religious orders were invalid, and no one was obligated to keep them (68). The Protestant Reformation was a period where numerous convents had lost their spiritual focus because of the Lutheran preaching's. Some women were placed in convents against their will because of their families not being able to afford the high marriage dowries (Wiesner, 211). Therefore, many nuns took advantage of this freedom and "threw of their robes and habits" (68), wore secular clothing and jewellery, entertained visitors, ate fancy food, and left the convent to visit their family and friend (Wiesner, 210). The reformation sought to close the monasteries through persuasion, political pressure and physical intervention by townspeople and peasants (67). First, it is evident through Pirckheimer's writings in her journals that her convent did not lose their spiritual focus. Before writing her response to the Nurnberg reform, she sought advice of her sisters' and then submitted an appeal to the City council to prevent them from succeeding with their decision. She begins the letter by referring to the council members as "prudent, wise, kind dear gentlemen" displaying her
(Early Modern Period 1524-1528)
Caritas Pirckheimer, held the position of an abbess in her convent, and encountered religious conflicts during her time in Nuremberg, Germany, St. Claire church. Between the years of 1524 to 1528, the Reformation created an issue where Pirckheimer, defended her cloister and sisters' rights in the City council's attempt to close it down and force the members to renounce their vows. The council made an effort to replace the Franciscans, who had been preachers and confessors to St. Claire, with different preachers who advocated the doctrine of Lutheranism (68). These efforts turned out to be problematic because the teachings of the Lutherans preached Christian freedom, and the idea that the laws of the Church and oaths of religious orders were invalid, and no one was obligated to keep them (68). The Protestant Reformation was a period where numerous convents had lost their spiritual focus because of the Lutheran preaching's. Some women were placed in convents against their will because of their families not being able to afford the high marriage dowries (Wiesner, 211). Therefore, many nuns took advantage of this freedom and "threw of their robes and habits" (68), wore secular clothing and jewellery, entertained visitors, ate fancy food, and left the convent to visit their family and friend (Wiesner, 210). The reformation sought to close the monasteries through persuasion, political pressure and physical intervention by townspeople and peasants (67). First, it is evident through Pirckheimer's writings in her journals that her convent did not lose their spiritual focus. Before writing her response to the Nurnberg reform, she sought advice of her sisters' and then submitted an appeal to the City council to prevent them from succeeding with their decision. She begins the letter by referring to the council members as "prudent, wise, kind dear gentlemen" displaying her