Life Writing in Reformation Europe : Lives of Reformers By Friends, Disciples and Foes (St Andrews Studies in Reformation History)

The Reformation period witnessed an explosion in the number of biographies of contemporary religious figures being published. Whether lives of reformers worthy of emulation, or heretics deserving condemnation, the genre of biography became a key element in the confessional rivalries that raged across Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Offering more than a general survey of Life writing, this volume examines key issues and questions about how this trend developed among different confessions and how it helped shape lasting images of reformers, particularly Luther and Calvin up to the modern period.This is the first-ever full length study of the subject showing that Lives of the reformers constitute an integral part of the intellectual and cultural history of the period, serving as an important source of information about the different Reformations. Depending on their origin, they provide a lesson in theology but also in civic values and ideals of education of the period. Genevan Lives in particular also point up the delicate issue of 'Reformed hagiography' which their authors try to avoid with a varying degree of success. Having consistently been at the forefront of the study of the intellectual history of the Reformation, Irena Backus is perfectly placed to highlight the importance of Life writing. This is a path-breaking study that will open up a new way of viewing the confessional conflicts of the period and their historiography. The Reformation period witnessed an explosion in the number of biographies of contemporary religious figures being published. Whether lives of reformers worthy of emulation, or heretics deserving condemnation, the genre of biography became a key element in the confessional rivalries that raged across Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Offering more than a general survey of Life writing, this volume examines key issues and questions about how this trend developed among different confessions and how it helped shape lasting images of reformers, particularly Luther and Calvin up to the modern period. This is the first-ever full length study of the subject showing that Lives of the reformers constitute an integral part of the intellectual and cultural history of the period, serving as an important source of information about the different Reformations. Depending on their origin, they provide a lesson in theology but also in civic values and ideals of education of the period. Genevan Lives in particular also point up the delicate issue of 'Reformed hagiography' which their authors try to avoid with a varying degree of success. Having consistently been at the forefront of the study of the intellectual history of the Reformation Irena Backus is perfectly placed to highlight the importance of Life writing. This is a path-breaking study that will open up a new way of viewing the confessional conflicts of the period and their historiography. Contents......Page 6 Introduction: Biography and Religious Biography: Pagan and Christian Models, and What Happened to Them in the Reformation Period......Page 8 1 Luther: Instrument of God or Satan’s Brood. Main Developments in Luther Biography, 1546–81......Page 36 2 Lives of Chief Swiss Reformers: Hagiographies, Historical Accounts and Exempla......Page 82 3 Zurich Lives in the Latter Part of the Sixteenth Century......Page 132 4 Early Lives of Calvin and Beza by Friends and Foes......Page 160 5 Post-Masson Views of Calvin: Catholic and Protestant Images of Calvin in the Seventeenth Century, or the Birth of ‘Calvinography’......Page 222 Concluding Remarks......Page 264 Bibliography......Page 270 B......Page 288 D......Page 289 J......Page 290 M......Page 291 S......Page 292 W......Page 293 Z......Page 294 "The Reformation period witnessed an explosion in the number of biographies of contemporary religious figures being published. Whether lives of reformers worthy of emulation, or heretics deserving condemnation, the genre of biography became a key element in the confessional rivalries that raged across Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Offering more than a general survey of Life writing, this volume examines key issues and questions about how this trend developed among different confessions and how it helped shape lasting images of reformers, particularly Luther and Calvin up to the modern period."--BOOK JACKET This engaging study brings to light a largely neglected genre of Reformation literature, the Lives of various Reformers written after their death by contemporaries. Although far less well known than other types of writings, biography constitutes an important body of literature which sheds much light on numerous aspects of the Reformation. Utilising this important canon of reformation writing raises intriguing questions about the role of the individual and of Protestant hagiography, as well as the influence of classical and humanist traditions that stress the importance of the 'great' individua Luther : Instrument Of God Or Satans Brood. Main Developments In Luther Biography, 1546-1581 -- Lives Of Chief Swiss Reformers : Hagiographies, Historical Accounts And Exempla -- Zurich Lives In The Latter Part Of The Sixteenth Century -- Early Lives Of Calvin And Beza By Friends And Foes -- Post-masson Views Of Calvin : Catholic And Protestant Image Of Calvin In The Seventeenth Century Or The Birth Of 'calvinography'. Irena Backus. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-252) And Index.