THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
cessfully invaded by the imperial troops; and Protestantism was rigorously suppressed in Metz.
In l.">43 the internal dissensions of the league compelled Philip to resign from its leadership, and to think seriously of dissolving it. He put his trust entirely in the emperor's good faith, agreeing to help him against both the French and the Turks. At the Diet of Speyer in 1544 he championed the emperor's policy with great eloquence; the bishop of Augsburg declared he must be inspired by the Holy Spirit; and Charles now intended to make him commander-in-chief in the next war against the Turks.
The situation was suddenly changed, however, and Philip was tardily forced again into the opposition, by the peace of Crespy (Sept., 1544), which opened his eyes to the danger threatening Protestantism. He prevented the Roman 7. Resump- Catholic Duke Henry of Brunswick tion of from taking forcible possession of his Hostility to dominions; he unsuccessfully planned Charles, a new alliance with German princes against Austria, pledging its members to prevent the acceptance of the decrees of the projected Council of Trent; when this failed, he sought to secure the neutrality of Bavaria in a possible war against the Protestants; and he proposed a new Protestant alliance to take the place of the Schmalkald League. But all this, like his projected coalition with the Swiss, was prevented by the jealousy prevailing between Duke Maurice and the elector of Saxony. Fearful of the success of these plans, the emperor invited Philip to an interview at Speyer (Mar. 28, 1546). Philip spoke plainly in criticism of the emperor's policy, and it was soon evident that peace could not be preserved. Four months later (July 20, 1546) the imperial ban was declared against John Frederick and Philip as perjured rebels and traitors. The result was the Schmalkald war, the outcome of which was unfavorable to Protestant interests. The defeat at Muhlberg (Apr. 24, 1.347) and the capture of the Elector John Frederick marked the fall of the Schmalkald League. In despair Philip, who had been negotiating with the emperor for some time, agreed to throw himself on his mercy, on condition that his territorial rights should not be impaired and that he himself should not be imprisoned. These terms were disregarded, however, and on June 23, 1547, both the leaders of the famous league were taken to south Germany and held as captives.
The imprisonment of Philip brought the Church in Hesse into great trials and difficulties. It had previously been organized carefully by Philip and Butzer, and synods, presbyteries, 8. Impris- and a system of discipline had been onment of established. The country was thor- Philip and oughly protestantized, though public Interim in worship still showed no uniformity, Hesse. discipline was not strictly applied, and many sectaries existed. The Interim (q.v.) was now introduced, sanctioning Roman Catholic practises and usages. Philip himself wrote from prison to forward the acceptance of the Interim, especially as his liberty depended upon it. As long as the unrestricted preaching of the Gospel
and the Protestant tenet of justification by faith were secured, other matters seemed to him of subordinate importance. He read Roman Catholic controversial literature, attended mass, and was much impressed by his study of the Fathers of the Church. The Hessian clergy, however, boldly opposed the introduction of the Interim and the government at Cassel refused to obey the landgrave's commands. Meanwhile his imprisonment was made still more bitter by the information which he received concerning conditions in Hesse, and the rigor of his confinement was increased after he had made an unsuccessful attempt to escape. It was not until 1552 that the Peace of Passau gave him his longdesired freedom and that he was able, on Sept. 12, 1552, to reenter his capital, Cassel.
Though Philip was now active in restoring order within his territories, new leaders — Maurice of Saxony and Christopher of Wurttemberg — had come to the fore. Philip no longer desired to assume the leadership of the Protestant party. 9. Closing All his energies were now directed Years. toward finding a basis of agreement between Protestants and Roman Catholics. At his direction his theologians were prominent in the various conferences where representative Roman Catholics and Protestants assembled to attempt to find a working basis for reunion. Philip was also much disturbed by the internal conflicts that arose after Luther's death between his followers and the disciples of Melanchthon. He was never wearied in urging the necessity of mutual toleration between Calvinists and Lutherans, and to the last cherished the hope of a great Protestant federation, so that, with this end in view, he cultivated friendly relations with French Protestants and with Elizabeth of England. Financial aid was given to the Huguenots, and Hessian troops fought side by side with them in the French religious civil wars, this policy contributing to the declaration of toleration at Amboise in Mar., 1563. He gave permanent form to the Hessian Church by the great agenda of 1566-67, and in his will, dated in 1562, urged his sons to maintain the Augsburg Confession and the Concord of Wittenberg, and at the same time to work in behalf of a reunion of Roman Catholics and Protestants if opportunity and circumstances should permit. (T. Kolde.) Bibliography: As a source employ: M. Lenz, Briefwecnsd Landgraf Philipps des Grossmilthigen , . mit Bucer, 1541-47, 3 parts, Leipsic, 1880-91. Matter of pertinence is to be found in the literature under Butzer, Martin; Luther, Martin; Melanchthon, Philipp; Reformation; and the various articles named in the text. For the English reader the fullest account accessible is probably to be found in J. Janssen, Hist, of the German People, vols, v.-vii., St. Louis, 1903-05. Consult further: C. von Rommel, Philipp der Grossm tithige, 3 vols., Giessen, 1830; P. Hoffmeistcr, Das Leben Philipps des Grossmiithigen, Cassel, 1846; P. A. F. Walther, Landgraf Philipp von Hessen, Darmstadt, 1866; J. Wille, Philipp der Grossmiithige und die Restitution Vlrichs von Wirtemberg, 1526- 1535, Tubingen, 1882; S. Ehses, Landgraf Philipp von Hessen und Otto von Pack, Freiburg, 1S86; A. Heidenhain, Die Unionspoliti/c Lnndgrafen Philipps des Grossm iitigen, 1657-62, Breslau, 1886; W. Fnlckenheiner, Philipp der GrossmiUhige im Bauernkriege, Marburg, 1887; J. B. Rady, Die Reformatoren in ihrer Beziehung zur Doppelehe des Landgrafen Philipp, Frankfort, 1890; O. Winckelmann,