Reordering Marriage and Society in Reformation Germany

More about the book

The book provides a thorough analysis of the Reformation's influence on marriage, using extensive archival research. It examines Protestant reforms in the context of contemporary Catholic practices, revealing that perceived innovations, such as the abolition of clerical celibacy and the introduction of divorce, were often rooted in existing traditions. Harrington highlights how local customs and authority frequently resisted ambitious Protestant changes to marital and sexual relations, particularly in the Rhineland Palatinate, emphasizing the continuity of social norms despite religious shifts.