Reordering marriage and society in Reformation Germany

Pages: 333
Published: 1995
Language: English

Synopsis

This book offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Reformation's impact on marriage, comparing Protestant and Catholic goals and achievements. It argues that attempts to restore 'traditional family values' must be seen within broader social transformations. The study concludes that local custom and authority often prevailed over religiously inspired innovations in marital and sexual relations during the sixteenth century.