Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The papacy and Lutheranism: the failure to respond effectively to Luther;…
Full specification wording
The spread and survival of Lutheranism, 1521–55: The papacy and Lutheranism: the failure to respond effectively to Luther; Paul III and attempts at reform; the Consilium 1537; the summoning of the Council of Trent.
The papacy reacted slowly to Luther.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The papacy reacted slowly to Luther. Leo X condemned him in 1520 and excommunicated him in 1521, but no sustained campaign followed, partly because popes feared councils and because political distractions, especially Charles V's wars, delayed action. Paul III, elected 1534, tried reform: he appointed reforming cardinals, encouraged new orders such as the Jesuits in 1540, and set up the Consilium of 1537, which produced the Consilium de emendanda ecclesia, a frank report on abuses. Yet reform was cautious, since any council might challenge papal authority. The Council of Trent was summoned in 1545, opening at Trent, and met in three sessions to 1563, defining doctrine and reforming discipline. Its delayed start shows how slowly Rome responded to Lutheranism.
What earns the marks
- Explains the failure to respond effectively: condemnation and excommunication without a coordinated campaign allowed Lutheranism to spread in the 1520s.
- Analyses why popes hesitated: fear that a general council would limit papal authority, plus political conflict with Charles V and the French crown.
- Assesses Paul III's reforming measures, including reforming cardinals, approval of the Jesuits in 1540 and support for new religious orders.
- Explains the Consilium of 1537 and its report on abuses, showing awareness of problems but limited practical enforcement.
- Explains the summoning of the Council of Trent in 1545, its location, its sessions to 1563 and its dual purpose of doctrinal definition and disciplinary reform.
- Evaluates the papacy's overall record: genuine reform intentions but slow, cautious action that could not reverse Lutheranism's establishment.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Believing the papacy did nothing after 1521.
Put it right: Paul III promoted reform and called Trent, though action was slow and cautious.
Confusing the Consilium of 1537 with the Council of Trent.
Put it right: The Consilium was a reform commission producing a report, while Trent was the general council summoned in 1545.
Assuming Trent immediately solved the Lutheran problem.
Put it right: Trent defined Catholic doctrine and reformed discipline but did not reunite the churches.
Exam tips
- Build a clear chronology: 1520 condemnation, 1521 excommunication, 1534 Paul III, 1537 Consilium, 1545 Trent.
- Explain motives as well as actions, especially papal fear of conciliarism and dependence on secular rulers.
- Use the Consilium report as evidence of awareness of abuse, then contrast it with the limited enforcement that followed.
Try the lesson
The start of the The spread and survival of Lutheranism, 1521–55: The papacy and Lutheranism: the failure to respond effectively to Luther; Paul III and attempts at reform; the Consilium 1537; the summoning of the Council of Trent. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which pope summoned the Council of Trent in 1545?
Listen
The papacy reacted slowly to Luther. Leo X condemned him in 1520 and excommunicated him in 1521, but no sustained campaign followed, partly because popes feared councils and because political distractions, especially Charles V's wars, delayed action. Paul III, elected 1534, tried reform: he appointed reforming cardinals, encouraged new orders such as the Jesuits in 1540, and set up the Consilium of 1537, which produced the Consilium de emendanda ecclesia, a frank report on abuses. Yet reform was cautious, since any council might challenge papal authority. The Council of Trent was summoned in 1545, opening at Trent, and met in three sessions to 1563, defining doctrine and reforming discipline. Its delayed start shows how slowly Rome responded to Lutheranism. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the failure to respond effectively: condemnation and excommunication without a coordinated campaign allowed Lutheranism to spread in the 1520s. Analyses why popes hesitated: fear that a general council would limit papal authority, plus political conflict with Charles V and the French crown. Assesses Paul III's reforming measures, including reforming cardinals, approval of the Jesuits in 1540 and support for new religious orders. Explains the Consilium of 1537 and its report on abuses, showing awareness of problems but limited practical enforcement. A common slip: Believing the papacy did nothing after 1521. Instead, Paul III promoted reform and called Trent, though action was slow and cautious. Exam tip: Build a clear chronology: 1520 condemnation, 1521 excommunication, 1534 Paul III, 1537 Consilium, 1545 Trent.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Paul III is elected pope
- 2. The Consilium is set up
- 3. The Jesuits are encouraged
- 4. Luther is excommunicated
- 5. Leo X condemns Luther
- 6. The Council of Trent is summoned
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Papal authority and fear of councils
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Catholic reform and renewal
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Delay and political distraction
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Doctrinal definition at Trent
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Papal authority and fear of councils
- Popes hesitated to act because any general council might challenge papal authority, which helps explain the slow response to Luther.
- Catholic reform and renewal
- Paul III appointed reforming cardinals and encouraged new orders such as the Jesuits in 1540, though reform remained cautious.
- Delay and political distraction
- No sustained campaign followed condemnation and excommunication, partly because political distractions, especially Charles V's wars, delayed action.
- Doctrinal definition at Trent
- The Council of Trent, summoned in 1545 and meeting in three sessions to 1563, defined doctrine and reformed discipline.
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