1526–1530

The diets of Speyer and the Augsburg Confession

The first Diet of Speyer in 1526 effectively tolerated Lutheranism. But in February–April 1529 a second diet at Speyer voted to end that toleration. Six princes and fourteen cities protested in defence of freedom of conscience. Their protest gave rise to the word "Protestants".

In 1530, at the Diet of Augsburg, Charles V demanded a statement of faith from the Protestants. Philip Melanchthon drafted the conciliatory Augsburg Confession: 21 articles plus 7 on abuses. It was read to the emperor in June. After its rejection Melanchthon wrote an "Apology".

The Augsburg Confession became Lutheranism's chief confessional document. However, a later revised edition (the "Variata") provoked disputes over its interpretation.