ABSTRACT
On 31October 1517 a monk nailed a document onto the church door at the university in Wittenberg, Germany. It began as follows:
In the desire and with the purpose of elucidating the truth, a disputation will be held on the underwritten propositions at Wittemberg [sic.], under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Monk of the Order of St. Augustine, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and ordinary Reader of the same in that place. He therefore asks those who cannot be present and discuss the subject with us orally, to do so by letter in their absence. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.1
