Edict of Worms
The
Edict of Worms was issued by
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor on
May 25,
1521 at
Worms, at the end of the
Diet of Worms. It contained a condemnation of
Martin Luther and declared him to be an
outlaw and a
heretic for his opposition to the doctrines of the
Roman Catholic Church. Among other things, this ruling permitted anyone to kill Luther without suffering legal consequence, and the property of Luther's followers and supporters could be seized by force.