INTRODUCTION. ix. 



his support Luther made Saxony the cradle of the Reformation. This 

 Elector was succeeded in 1525 by his brother John, who was in turn succeeded 

 by his son John Frederick in 1532. Of more immediate interest to this subject 

 is the Albertian line of Saxon Dukes who ruled Meissen, for in that Princi- 

 pality Agricola was bom and hved, and his political fortunes were associated 

 with this branch of the Saxon House. Albert was succeeded in 1505 by his 

 son George, " The Bearded," and he in turn by his brother Henry, the last 

 of the Catholics, in 1539, who ruled until 1541. Henry was succeeded in 1541 

 by his Protestant son Maurice, who was the Patron of Agricola. 



At about this time Saxony was drawn into the storms which rose from 

 the long-standing rivalry between Francis I., King of France, and Charles V. 

 of Spain. These two potentates came to the throne in the same year (1515), 

 and both were candidates for Emperor of that loose Confederation known 

 as the Holy Roman Empire. Charles was elected, and intermittent wars 

 between these two Princes arose — first in one part of Europe, and then in 

 another. Francis finally formed an alHance with the Schmalkalden League 

 of German Protestant Princes, and with the Sultan of Turkey, against Charles. 

 In 1546 Maurice of Meissen, although a Protestant, saw his best interest in 

 a secret league with Charles against the other Protestant Princes, and pro- 

 ceeded (the Schmalkalden War) to invade the domains of his suj)erior and 

 cousin, the Elector Frederick. The Emperor Charles proved successful in 

 this war, and Maurice was rewarded, at the Capitulation of Wittenberg in 1547, 

 by being made Elector of Saxony in the place of his cousin. Later on, the 

 Elector Maurice found the association with CathoUc Charles unpalatable, and 

 joined in leading the other Protestant princes in war upon him. and on the 

 defeat of the Catholic party and the peace of Passau, Maurice became 

 acknowledged as the champion of German national and religious freedom. 

 He was succeeded by his brother Augustus in 1553. 



Agricola was much favoured by the Saxon Electors, Maurice and 

 Augustus. He dedicates most of his works to them, and shows much gratitude 

 for many favours conferred upon him. Duke Maurice presented to him a 

 house and plot in Chemnitz, and in a letter dated June 14th, 1543,* in con- 

 nection therewith, says : " .... that he may enjoy his life-long a 

 " freehold house unburdened by all burgher rights and other municipal ser- 

 " vice, to be used by him and inhabited as a free dwelling, and that he may 

 " also, for the necessities of his household and of his wife and servants, brew 

 " his ovm beer free, and that he may likewise purvey for himself and his 

 " household foreign beer and also wine for use, and yet he shall not sell any 

 " such beer. . . . We have taken the said Doctor under our especial 

 " protection and care for our Ufe-long, and he shall not be summoned before 

 " any Court of Justice, but only before us and our Councillor. . . ." 



Agricola was made Burgomaster of Chemnitz in 1546. A letter*" from 

 Fabricius to Meurer, dated May 19th, 1546, says that Agricola had been 



•Archive 38, Chemnitz Municipal Archives. 



^"BaumRarten-Crusius. Georgii Fabricii Chemnicensis Episiolae ad W. Meurerutn 

 et Alios AequaUs. Leipzig, 1845, p. 26. 



