Church Censorship in Nuremberg during the Early Reformation (1517–1528)

This article examines the activities of the Nuremberg print censorship in 1517– 1528 and the dissemination of Reformation ideas in Nuremberg through the press. The first date is the beginning of the Reformation in Germany, the second — is the beginning of the Visitation in Nuremberg, evidence that the city accepted the Reformation. Nuremberg — an important center in the south-east of the empire, was one of the leaders in the trade of books during the Reformation. In the 16th century, Nuremberg was second only to Wittenberg in the volume of printed matter in the empire, and ranked eighth among European cities. In terms of the number of editions of Luther’s works that appeared in the city in 1517, Nuremberg ranked third, behind Wittenberg and Augsburg. Nuremberg censorship was under the jurisdiction of the City Council. Censorship controlled not only the printing industry and printing houses, but also prohibited the performance of certain songs and poems in public places. Censorship was under the jurisdiction of the City Council, which monitored compliance with regulations. The author believes that the Nuremberg press censorship did not meet imperial and Catholic expectations, and that the City Council skillfully maneuvered between the Edict of Worms, the supporters of reform, and the city population, responding to changes in the political situation.