Lutheranism in Scandinavia
The unification of Denmark, Norway had been put together in 1397 by the Union of Kalmar. The union was unable to keep the three states together, mostly because the nobles did not want a monarch. The union was almost completely broken apart by the 16th century. In 1520, the ruler over the 3 kingdoms, Christian II, had been overthrown by Swedish barons. Gustavas Vasa, the leader of these barons took the throne over Sweden, as independent from the other two countries. Under his leadership after awhile, the Swedish Lutheran National Church was created. Not only was Christian II overthrown by the Swedes, but also by the Danish nobility. His uncle, Frederick I then became the monarch. Frederick I wanted to spread the Lutheran liturgy and doctrine so that he could establish Denmark as a Protestant nation. Then, when his successor, Christian III took over, he created a Lutheran state church in which he, the ruler, was head of the church affairs. He also spread Lutheranism into Norway. Scandinavia had now become Lutheran, with the rulers being in charge of these state-run churches.
The Zwinglian Reformation
The Swiss Confederation by the 16th century was made up of 13 states known as cantons. Even thought they were technically under the Holy Roman Empire, they were pretty much independent. There were six democratic republics, from the forest, and seven urban cantons which were controlled by wealthy citizens. Ulrich Zwingli came from a well to do peasant in one of the forest cantons. Zwingli became interested in Christian humanism while he was studying in Vienna and Basel. He then became a priest in 1506, and moved to the Swiss countryside. Later, in 1518, he was called to be the Great Minster of Zürich where he started the Swiss Reformation.
Because of how much Zwingli preached the gospel, the city had to have a debate in the town hall in 1523. The reformers were able to express these new ideas, and it was an advantage to them, so disputations became very popular in cities.
Because of how much Zwingli preached the gospel, the city had to have a debate in the town hall in 1523. The reformers were able to express these new ideas, and it was an advantage to them, so disputations became very popular in cities.