Of Hypocrites, Whores, and Holy Animal Bones. Polemical Comparisons and the Invective Mode in Early Reformation Disputes

This article aims to illustrate how a pervasively invective mode of communication was pivotal for early Reformation disputes. For this purpose, it explores, first, specific techniques polemical comparison used in communication. Second, analyses the relation between broader transregional public discourse and debates at local level. Some sources examined article, instance handwritten pasquinade whose anonymous author fiercely criticized Franciscan preacher, as well creatively adapted letter indulgence, are new research. The objective here is outline decisive entangled aspects (semi-)public 1520 1524. In order do so, I focus on beginning conflicts, their ongoing volatility, performative zenith, along border two most important German territories time—the Ernestine Electorate Albertine Duchy Saxony.