Introduction

Luther is about to be called to defend himself before the emperor at the diat of werms. The papal legate in augsburg was cardinal cagitan, an Italian born theologian who held a high view of the pope's authority. Three years earlier Pope leo had ordered luther to appear before him in rome where he would be tried for heresy. Convinced it would not end well, his protector, frederick, persuaded luther to decline. Rome had then arranged for l Luther to appear before a papal representative closer to home,. His friends advised him not to go without the promise of safe conduct which frederick had managed to obtain