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Italy in the early modern period was one of the wealthiest areas of Europe, it . Italy had a very advanced and sophisticated culture. Many Italians were appalled by the corruption of the Church and indeed there had been several movements that challenged the supremacy of the Papacy in Italy, since the early middle ages. However, despite these factors, the Reformation did not have any lasting impact on Italy. Indeed, there was only a very brief Italian Reformation and by 1600 Protestantism was effectively extinct in Italy and . Catholicism was even actually strengthened. This article seeks to understand why did by the failed Italian Reformation fail in Italy. It will argue that Protestantism was unable failed to establish itself on the Peninsula for three reasons; : the enormous political power of the Catholic Church, the states’ support for the Counter-Reformation and the Inquisition , and the popular attachment to the traditional religionCatholicism.

====Background====It has been widely stated that Italian society in the Renaissance was largely secular. This has been challenged by Burckhardt among others.<ref> Burckhardt, Jakob. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014044534X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014044534X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=739a244a93ecac84fd03204f26d1d881 The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy]</i> (London, Penguin, 1992), p. 34</ref> The elite was largely secular and the humanist class of scholars was more interested in the classics than the bible. However, the majority of the country was religious. Italians went to mass and took part in religious festivals. The morals and the beliefs of the population were very much influenced by the Catholic Church.<ref> Payton James. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830838805/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0830838805&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e3192d7e1d35bcb5be45193113f6297d Getting the Reformation Wrong: Correcting Some Misunderstandings]</i> (IVP, 2010), p. 79</ref> This is remarkable given the corruption and the decadence of the Papacy. The Pope was a powerful secular ruler and controlled much of central Italy. They often appeared to be more interested in their secular power than their role as the Head of the Church. Julius II was more interested in wars than religion. Then there was the corruption of the Popes, best illustrated in the reign of Pope Alexander IV. Many Italians, such as Machiavelli had long been disenchanted with the Papacy and blamed it for the divisions in Italy and for the various invasions since 1494.<ref> Machiavelli, N. <i>The Prince</i> (London, Penguin, 1999), pp 15-16</ref>

People believed that the clergy The Pope was a powerful secular ruler and the monastic orders had become corrupt and too worldlycontrolled much of central Italy. The monks were accused of being lazy and They often appeared to be more interested in a life of ease that their secular power than their role as the souls Head of the peopleChurch. These reports Julius II was more interested in wars than religion. Then there was the corruption of clerical corruption were probably exaggerated (especially by humanist writers)the Popes, but there is no doubt to believe that the Church best illustrated in Italy was corrupt and not providing for the spiritual welfare reign of the people Pope Alexander IV. Many Italians , such as Machiavelli had long been worried by disenchanted with the failings of Papacy and blamed it for the Church divisions in Italy and they were especially concerned that for the corrupt clergy could not help them achieve salvation and save their ‘immortal soulsvarious invasions since 1494.’<ref>PatrickMachiavelli, JamesN. <i>Renaissance and Reformation<[https:/i> (New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2007), p. 89</ref> There was a long history in Italy of ‘heresy’www. Many Italians especially, in the Northern Cities had joined groups that were not happy with the Catholic Church and had developed their own doctrines and practicesamazon. They had all being suppressed. In the 1490s, Girolamo Savonarola (1452–1498), a Friar launched a religious revival in Florence. This included the famous ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’. Savonarola was soon so influential that he was able to expel the de Medici and establish a theocracy in Florence. Later Savonarola was burned at the stake. In the early days of the Protestant Reformation, many expected that Italy would reject the Catholic Church. Yet this did not prove to be the case.<com/gp/product/0486272745/ref>Weinstein, Donald <i>Savonarola the Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486272745&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d0f2021d518b7d7bc36857723d8a8bd0 The Prince]</i> (New HavenLondon, Penguin, 20111999), pp 4515-13416</ref>

==Italian Reformation==[[File: Inquisition 2People believed that the clergy and the monastic orders had become corrupt and too worldly.jpg |thumbnail|250px|left|Contemporary portrait The monks were accused of Savonarola]]In being lazy and more interested in a life of ease that the 1520s, there were souls of the first people. These reports of Lutherans as they clerical corruption were known in Italy. They were influenced probably exaggerated (especially by the works of Luther and they were sympathetic humanist writers), but there is no doubt to his aims. The all believed believe that the Church in Italy was in need of Reform corrupt and challenged not providing for the authority spiritual welfare of the Popepeople. The individuals were all influenced Many Italians had long been worried by humanism and sought a more personal relationship with God, in order to secure salvation. Many the failings of the early ‘Protestants’ at first did not seek to set up another church, rather Church and they sought to reform the Church. When it became apparent were especially concerned that the Catholic Church was corrupt clergy could not willing to engage in meaningful reforms they increasingly sought separation from the Churchhelp them achieve salvation and save their ‘immortal souls.’<ref> CaponettoPatrick, SalvatoreJames. <i>The Protestant [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761476504/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761476504&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1916833500448e15ad9bce5dcbf4726f Renaissance and Reformation in Sixteenth-Century Italy, Anne C. Tedeschi]</i> (Thomas Jefferson University PressNew York: Marshall Cavendish, Kirksville, 19992007), p. 5689</ref> Some Italian humanists translated some of the works of Luther and they were transmitted in clandestine networks. There were soon small groups of Lutherans in many Northern Italian cities, especially in the North. A small group of intellectuals also was later discovered to be in Naples.

The Reformation became more radical and many new There was a long history in Italy of ‘heresy’. Many Italians especially, in the Northern Cities had joined groups emerged. These included that were not happy with the Calvinists Catholic Church and had developed their own doctrines and Anabaptistspractices. The influence of these doctrines was mainly among They had all being suppressed. In the upper class1490s, Girolamo Savonarola (1452–1498), a Friar launched a religious revival in Florence. There were many communities This included the famous ‘Bonfire of foreign traders in the Italian cities and especially in VeniceVanities’. It seems Savonarola was soon so influential that there he was able to expel the de Medici and establish a large community of Anabaptists and Lutherans theocracy in VeniceFlorence. Later a group who adhered to Nontrinitarians grew and gained a following among Savonarola was burned at the educated.<ref> Caponetto, pstake. 134</ref> It appears that many foreign Protestants, especially French Huguenots fled to In the cities early days of Italy to escape persecution at home. According to one Popethe Protestant Reformation, groups of Protestants had been active in many areas of Italy. However, the influence of Protestantism was confined to small groups and not many common people outside urban areas accepted the movement or its doctrines. Indeed by 1600 there was no Protestant presence in expected that Italy apart from some foreign mercenaries, diplomats and traders and would reject the Catholic Church was actually stronger than in 1500. Many Italian Protestant had been forced into exile and they contributed greatly Yet this did not prove to be the Reformation in Eastern Europecase.<ref> CaponettoWeinstein, pDonald <i>[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/0300111932/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300111932&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=16d43feac92430a71f0cdedd193111a4 Savonarola the Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet]</i> (New Haven, 2011), pp 45-134</ref>

==Persecution==Italian Reformation====One [[File: Inquisition 2.jpg |thumbnail|250px|left|Contemporary portrait of Savonarola]]In the reasons for 1520s, there were the failure first reports of Protestantism to make any inroads Lutherans as they were known in Italy was because . They were influenced by the works of persecution by Luther and they were sympathetic to his aims. The all believed that the Catholic Church, usually with was in need of Reform and challenged the support authority of the local rulersPope. The Church individuals were all influenced by humanism and sought a more personal relationship with God, in Italy was corrupt but it was also powerfulorder to secure salvation. Since Many of the early middle ages, the Inquisition had ‘Protestants’ at first did not been very active. In generalseek to set up another church, rather they sought to reform the humanists had been able to hold many unorthodox views and opinionsChurch. The threat of Protestantism meant When it became apparent that the Inquisition Catholic Church was reformed and became much more activenot willing to engage in meaningful reforms they increasingly sought separation from the Church.<ref> Burman, EdwardCaponetto, Salvatore. <i>The Inquisition[https: //www.amazon.com/gp/product/0940474581/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0940474581&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5a0196d80d532efda3904652eff6086e The Hammer of HeresyProtestant Reformation in Sixteenth-Century Italy]</i> (LondonTruman State University Press, Sutton PublishersKirksville, 20041999), p 67, 78. 56</ref> The Inquisition was a series Some Italian humanists translated some of institutions that were dedicated to ensuring religious conformity and to the eradication works of any heretical beliefs. Soon the Inquisition was searching out for Protestants Luther and arresting themthey were transmitted in clandestine networks. Those who There were suspected soon small groups of holding views that were sympathetic to Protestantism were deemed to be heretics. They were placed often Lutherans in special prisonsmany Northern Italian cities, tortured and tried especially in Church courtsthe North. Protestants, if found guilty A small group of heresy could intellectuals also was later discovered to be sentenced to death. Many Protestants were executed in brutal waysNaples.

Bartolomeo Fonzio, who translated some Protestant tracts into Italian, was executed by drowning The Reformation became more radical and more were burnt at the stakemany new groups emerged. These executions all took place in public included the Calvinists and the Italian population Anabaptists. The influence of these doctrines was left in no doubt of mainly among the dangers upper class. There were many communities of even sympathizing with foreign traders in the Protestant causeItalian cities and especially in Venice. The Church It seems that there was a large community of Anabaptists and Lutherans in Italy was able Venice. Later a group who adhered to prevent Nontrinitarians grew and gained a following among the spread of Lutheran or other Protestant ideas unlike in Northern Europeeducated.<ref>BurmanCaponetto, p 113. 134</ref> The Roman Catholic Hierarchy was able It appears that many foreign Protestants, especially French Huguenots fled to suppress the teachings and cities of Italy to escape persecution at home. According to one Pope, groups of Protestants had been active in many areas of Italy. However, the writings influence of Protestantism was confined to small groups and not many common people outside urban areas accepted the reformersmovement or its doctrines. There Indeed by 1600 there was no discussion of the ideas of Luther or Calvin Protestant presence in the Universities of Italyapart from some foreign mercenaries, diplomats and traders. The Catholic Church was able to introduce a system of censorship that prevented actually stronger than in 1500. Many Italian Protestant literature had been forced into exile and writings from reaching many Italians. The also operated an elaborate surveillance system: agents of they contributed greatly to the church would check people’s letters and ensured that the printing presses only produce works that conformed to Catholic teachingReformation in Eastern Europe.<ref>BurmanCaponetto, p. 115134</ref> Preaching was very important in the spread of Reformation but this was impossible in Italy. Any Italian or foreign Protestant who preached in Italy was liable to be arrested by the Inquisition.

==Protestantism was ‘Foreign==Persecution====Italy was divided politically but One of the reasons for the peoples failure of Protestantism to make any inroads in Italy had a distinct sense was because of being part persecution by the Catholic Church, usually with the support of an Italian society and culturethe local rulers. They resented any foreign interference The Church in their countryItaly was corrupt but it was also powerful. In Since the 16th centuryearly middle ages, many Italians hated the fact that their country Inquisition had not been turned into a battleground mainly by foreign armiesvery active. The fact that Protestantism was something foreign and alien meant that In general, the Italians population from all levels of society rejected it- they saw it as something that was un-Italian. It has humanists had been often stated that able to hold many Italians rejected Protestantism because of the Sack of Rome in 1527unorthodox views and opinions. The Imperial Army after defeating a French army mutinied and many threat of Protestantism meant that the soldiers were German Lutherans. They besieged Rome Inquisition was reformed and later captured it and for several months occupied it and committed many atrocities. The Lutheran soldiers openly mocked the Papacy and the sacraments of the Catholic Churchbecame much more active.<ref> KonstamBurman, Edward, Angus. <i>Pavia 1525[https: //www.amazon.com/gp/product/075093722X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=075093722X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=af2dfafe7050e8affa7882857fef9494 The Climax Inquisition: The Hammer of the Italian WarsHeresy]</i> (Oxford: Osprey PublishingLondon, Sutton Publishers, 19962004), p. 18967, 78</ref> The Sack Inquisition was a series of Rome shocked Italy and for many Italians, they associated Protestantism with terror and atrocities. Many Italians while unhappy with the Papacy institutions that were dedicated to ensuring religious conformity and the institutions eradication of the Church remained devoted to their own brand of Catholicismheretical beliefs. In Italy, there had developed many variations of Catholicism, based on Soon the worship of local saints Inquisition was searching for Protestants and festivalsarresting them. Local religion in Italy was often a mixture Those who were suspected of Christianity and remnants of paganism. Many Italians holding views that were very much attached sympathetic to their local variant of Catholicism and they had little time for the austere beliefs of Protestantismwere deemed to be heretics. Many ordinary Italians believed that the local rituals They were placed often in special prisons, tortured and rites catered for their spiritual needstried in Church courts.<ref> CaponettoProtestants, if found guilty of heresy, pcould be sentenced to death. Many Protestants were executed in brutal ways. 134</ref>

==State Support==[[File: Inquisition 3.jpg |thumbnail|300px|left|Contemporary portrait of Martin Luther]]It is widely held that Protestantism was reliant on the support of the nobility and monarchs for its success in Northern Europe. In Germany, Scandinavia, and England the elite largely supported the Reformation. Without the support of the elite, the Reformation would have more than likely have failed. Luther was reliant on the support of the Duke of Saxony and other nobles. Calvin was dependent on the urban patriarchs’ in Geneva for his Reformation. In Italy, the local Protestants did not have the support of the elite. Much of the Peninsula was dominated by the Spanish Monarch, especially the south of Italy. They were intolerant of any sign of Protestantism and they were enthusiastic supporters of the Inquisition.<ref>Burckhardt, p. 112<dh-ad/ref>

Any Protestants apprehended on Spanish controlled territory Bartolomeo Fonzio, who translated some Protestant tracts into Italian, was likely to be handed over to executed by drowning and more were burnt at the Inquisitionstake. The Spanish helped These executions all took place in public and the Italian population was left with little doubt about the Inquisition to destroy a small group dangers of Protestants associated even sympathizing with the University Protestant cause. The Church in Italy was able to prevent the spread of NaplesLutheran or other Protestant ideas unlike in Northern Europe. <ref>Burman, p 113</ref> The various rulers Roman Catholic Hierarchy was able to suppress the teachings and the writings of the city-states in Italy co-operated with reformers. There was no discussion of the Inquisition partly out ideas of respect for Luther or Calvin in the power of Spain and also out Universities of Italy. The Church was able to introduce a genuine dislike system of Protestantismcensorship that prevented Protestant literature and writings from reaching many Italians. The local elites like also operated an elaborate surveillance system: agents of the common people saw it as a ‘foreign creed’ church would check people’s letters and did not belong in Italyensured that the printing presses only produce works that conformed to Catholic teaching.<ref>Burman, p. 115</ref> There Preaching was some support for Protestants very important in Ferrara and the Republic spread of Venice Reformation but this was not willing to allow the inquisition to operate on its territoriesimpossible in Italy. The relative toleration that Protestants found Any Italian or foreign Protestant who preached in Ferrara and Venice was short-lived and Protestantism Italy was unable liable to find any sympathetic government in Italybe arrested by the Inquisition.

After 1550====Protestantism was ‘Foreign====Italy was divided politically but the peoples of Italy had a distinct sense of being part of an Italian society and culture. They resented any foreign interference in their country. In the 16th century, many Italians hated the Counter-Reformation, fact that their country had been turned into a movement battleground mainly by foreign armies. The fact that sought to reform the Church Protestantism was something foreign and counter alien meant that the threat Italians population from all levels of society rejected it. They saw it as something that was un-Italian. It has been often stated that many Italians rejected Protestantism did much to end because of the appeal Sack of ProtestantismRome in 1527. The Imperial Army after defeating a French army mutinied and many of the soldiers were German Lutherans.<ref>Burckhardt, pThey besieged Rome and later captured it and for several months occupied it and committed many atrocities. 112</ref> The various governments supported Lutheran soldiers openly mocked the Counter-Reformation Papacy and this allowed the sacraments of the Catholic Church to grow strong. The clergy was better educated and more disciplined<ref> Konstam, Angus. <i>[https://www. The Catholic Hierarchy cracked down on many abuses, and tried to suppress any form of corruption such as simonyamazon. com/gp/product/1855325047/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1855325047&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c61e74bf6eadc15c9eb3170185cbbc85 Pavia 1525: The Counter-Reformation, because Climax of the support of the states in Italy was able to retain the loyalty of all classes of Italians.Italian Wars]<ref/i> Caponetto(Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 1996), p. 134189</ref>

==Conclusion==The Italian Reformation was a failureSack of Rome shocked Italy and for many Italians, they associated Protestantism with terror and atrocities. Despite widespread contempt and disillusionment Many Italians, while unhappy with the Papacy and the institutions of the Church, the Reformation was only able remained devoted to secure the allegiance their own brand of a few scattered number of intellectuals and upper-class ItaliansCatholicism. Various states In Italy, there had developed many variations of Italy were bitterly anti-Protestant and refused to give any support to those who were sympathetic to Catholicism, based on the ideas and teachings worship of Calvin local saints and Lutherfestivals. Any Protestant who was Local religion in Italy in the sixteenth century ran the risk was often a mixture of persecution Christianity and even deathremnants of paganism. The Catholic Church was violently opposed Many Italians were very much attached to the Reformation their local variant of Catholicism and it permitted they had little time for the inquisition to imprison and torture those who were even suspected austere beliefs of ‘heresy.’ An unknown number of Italian Protestants were executed on the orders of the InquisitionProtestantism. Then Protestantism was also genuinely unpopular among many members of the elite and the Many ordinary people viewed it with suspicion because it was seen as a foreign creed. The Sack of Rome in 1527 shocked Italy and it reinforced among Italians believed that the negative perceptions of the Reformation. Lutheranism was seen as barbaric local rituals and violent and the destruction of Rome confirmed that in rites catered to their mindsspiritual needs. Finally, despite the perceptions of widespread corruption<ref> Caponetto, non-elites were happy with the form of Catholicism as practiced in their local community, which was often a mixture of paganism and Christianity and saw no reason to convert to a ‘foreign’ religionp.134</ref><div class="portal" style="'float:right; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

====State Support====[[File: Inquisition 3.jpg |thumbnail|300px|left|Contemporary portrait of Martin Luther]]It is widely held that Protestantism was reliant on the support of the nobility and monarchs for its success in Northern Europe. In Germany, Scandinavia, and England the elite largely supported the Reformation. Without the support of the elite, the Reformation would have more than likely have failed. Luther was reliant on the support of the Duke of Saxony and other nobles. Calvin was dependent on the urban patriarchs in Geneva for his Reformation. In Italy, the local Protestants did not have the support of the elite. Much of the Peninsula was dominated by the Spanish Monarch, especially the south of Italy. They were intolerant of any sign of Protestantism and they were enthusiastic supporters of the Inquisition.<ref>Burckhardt, p. 112</ref>  Any Protestants apprehended on Spanish controlled territory was likely to be handed over to the Inquisition. The Spanish helped the Inquisition to destroy a small group of Protestants associated with the University of Naples. The various rulers of the city-states in Italy co-operated with the Inquisition partly out of respect for the power of Spain and also out of a genuine dislike of Protestantism. The local elites like the common people saw it as a ‘foreign creed’ and did not belong in Italy. There was some support for Protestants in Ferrara and the Republic of Venice was not willing to allow the inquisition to operate on its territories. The relative toleration that Protestants found in Ferrara and Venice was short-lived and Protestantism was unable to find any sympathetic government in Italy.  After 1550, the Counter-Reformation, a movement that sought to reform the Church and counter the threat of Protestantism did much to end the appeal of Protestantism.<ref>Burckhardt, p. 112</ref> The various governments supported the Counter-Reformation and this allowed the Catholic Church to grow strong. The clergy was better educated and more disciplined. The Catholic Hierarchy cracked down on many abuses, and tried to suppress any form of corruption such as simony. The Counter-Reformation, because of the support of the states in Italy was able to retain the loyalty of all classes of Italians.<ref>Caponetto, p. 134</ref> ====Conclusion====The Italian Reformation was a failure. Despite widespread contempt and disillusionment with the Papacy and the Church, the Reformation was only able to secure the allegiance of a few scattered number of intellectuals and upper-class Italians. Various states of Italy were bitterly anti-Protestant and refused to give any support to those who were sympathetic to the ideas and teachings of Calvin and Luther. Any Protestant who was in Italy in the sixteenth century ran the risk of persecution and even death. The Catholic Church was violently opposed to the Reformation and it permitted the inquisition to imprison and torture those who were even suspected of ‘heresy.’ An unknown number of Italian Protestants were executed on the orders of the Inquisition.  Protestantism was also genuinely unpopular among many members of the elite and the ordinary people viewed it with suspicion because it was seen as a foreign creed. The Sack of Rome in 1527 shocked Italy and it reinforced among Italians the negative perceptions of the Reformation. Lutheranism was seen as barbaric and violent and the destruction of Rome confirmed that in their minds. Finally, despite the perceptions of widespread corruption, non-elites were happy with the form of Catholicism as practiced in their local community, which was often a mixture of paganism and Christianity and saw no reason to convert to a ‘foreign’ religion.{{MediawikiMediaWiki:Renaissance HistoryAmNative}}====References====

[[Category: Renaissance History]] [[Category:European History]] [[Category:Italian History]] [[Category:Religious History]]