Luther's early years
Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben and baptized the very next day in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Eisleben on St Martin's Day. When Martin was only 6 months old, the family moved to Mansfield. His father, Hans Luther, a succesful copper miner and his mother Margarethe were very strict, but they were committed to giving their children a good education. Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to the house where Martin Luther was born, the church where he was baptised as well as famous J.S. Bach sites in Eisleben. Click here for tours.

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Luther the school-boy

Martin Luther began attending the local school in Mansfield, at age 4, where he learnt the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church, as well as music. This was all taught in Latin. When he was 14, he was sent to Cathedral school at Magdeburg. The teachers were members of the Brethren of the Common Life, who stressed Bible reading and living simply. At 15, he transfered to St. George's Latin School in Eisenach, staying with the Cotta family (see illustration). J.S. Bach attended this same school years later. Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to the house where Martin Luther stayed with the Cotta family, St. George's Church where he was a choir boy as well as famous J.S. Bach sites in Eisenach. Click here for tours.

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Luther the student

Luther was sent to Erfurt University by his father Hans, who wanted the best university for his son. At that time it had approximately one thousand students and four colleges: Theology, Liberal Arts, Medicine and Law. He studied law, as his Father had wished, earning a liberal arts degree in 1502 and a Master's arts degree in February 1505. While he was there, he furthered his Latin studies and cultivated his love of music. He also continued his religious training, attending mass regularly and praying daily. Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to the University Gate - all that remains of the University in Erfurt. You can also explore the 'Andreasviertel' - the students district. Click here for tours.

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Luther the monk

Luther entered the Erfurt Monastery on July 17 1505 and joined the Augustinian Order of Hermit. While he was there, he studied the Bible and teachings of the Catholic Church. He memorized much of both the New and the Old Testament, reading 10 Psalms a day. His reading led him to see God as a righteous judge and he became keenly aware of his own imperfection. He fulfilled the rigorous duties of a monk, but compusively, in a desperate attempt to achieve forgiveness. Luther first had the opportunity to read a Bible in Latin in 1503. It was a rare book in those times and it so excited Luther that he came back to the library repeatedly to read it. "Oh that God would give me such a book for myself" he thought. While he was in hiding in the Wartburg Castle in 1521-22 he translated the New Testament from Latin--the language of scholars and clergy--into the German vernacular. In 1534 "The complete Bible of Martin Luther" was first printed at Wittenberg by Hans Lufft in 1534. It is said that Lufft sold over 100,000 copies of Luther's Bible in forty years. Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to Luther's home in Wittenberg, the 'black cloister', where he lived first as a monk and had his "tower experience" of understand salvation by grace through reading Romans. You can also visit the Wartburg Castle (near Eisenach) where he did the translation work. Click here for tours.

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Martin Luther the Reformer

The start of the Protestant Reformation is "officially" October 31 1517, when Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. However, the reformation had been brewing across Europe for many years (click here to read about Pre-Reformers such as Hus, Wycliffe...). Luther was fortunate to have a protector and supporter, Frederick the Wise. The invention of moveable type by Gutenberg, also meant that Luther's books, Bibles, pamphlets etc could be widely distributed. Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to the main Luther sites of Worms, Wittenberg, Augsburg, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach etc Your tours will also include fascinating talks. Click here for tours.

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Luther's Death

Luther passed away at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon on 18 February 1546. He had come to mediate a dispute between the Counts of Mansfield, but the journey from Wittenberg had weakened him. The funeral was held in St Andrew's Church the following day and Justus Jonas preached. A second funeral was held on the 20th, then his coffin was carried on a wagon to Wittenberg. He was laid to rest in the Castle Church in Wittenberg on 22 February 1546.Back to top

Reformation Tours can take you to the museum in the house where he died, St Andrew's Church as well as the Castle Church in Wittenberg, where his grave is by the pulpit. . Click here for tours.

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Time Line of Luther's Life