ABSTRACT
The Protestant Reformation came early to the prosperous free imperial city of Augsburg and quickly attracted the support of many in the city. Many people were particularly drawn to the Reformation sermons of the Franciscan friar Hans Schilling. The 1520s were a time of political and economic tension in Augsburg. Shortly after his departure, the citizens of Augsburg responded: But just after the city council had taken their seats, all over the city a great cry was heard, and the report went out that people were going up to city hall to ask for the friar back. They came unarmed and with the sole intention of lending their aid in petitioning for the friar's return. But having been informed that the friar at the Franciscan church, Brother Hans Schilling, was removed from the city, they were unaware of the cause for this decision, other than that the priests decried the friar together with his listeners as heretics.
