igenholdet

Igenholdet, also known as the "Second Reformation," was a period of religious and political upheaval in Denmark and Norway from 1536 to 1537. It was initiated by King Christian III of Denmark, who sought to break away from the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Evangelical Lutheran Church as the state church. The movement was driven by a combination of political, economic, and religious factors, including the desire to centralize power, reduce the influence of the Catholic Church, and address perceived abuses within the church.

The Igenholdet began with the publication of the "Igenholdelsesbrev" (Reaffirmation Letter) in 1536, which declared the Danish Church independent of the Pope and the Roman Curia. This was followed by the "Igenholdelsesbrev til den danske folk" (Reaffirmation Letter to the Danish People) in 1537, which outlined the principles of the new Lutheran church and the rights of the Danish people. The Igenholdet also led to the dissolution of monasteries and the confiscation of their properties, which were redistributed to the crown and the nobility.

The Igenholdet had significant implications for the religious and political landscape of Denmark and Norway. It marked the beginning of the Danish Reformation and the establishment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as the state church. However, it also led to conflicts with the Catholic powers of Europe and the Thirty Years' War, which had a profound impact on the region. The Igenholdet is considered a pivotal moment in Danish history, shaping the country's religious and political identity for centuries to come.