(____-____) The political leader of the German
Lutheran s in the first half of the 16th century. Converted to
Lutheran ism by
Melanchthon in 1524; wanted to united Protestants within the empire politically and theologically. Unable to end his marriage by divorce, he took a second wife (bigamy). For political reasons,
Luther and
Melanchthon approved his action. This bigamy threatened his rule so much that he was forced into a non-aggression pact with the emperor and thus weakened the Schmalkaldic League.