subject: Transylvania: The Transylvanian Saxons, the Middle Period [print this page] Transylvania: The Transylvanian Saxons, the Middle Period
The Transylvanian Saxons would see him as the catalyst for the Reformation in Transylvania.
When the Reformation started to grow, thanks in part to Honterus, whole villages would convert to the teachings of Martin Luther. At this time as well, another reformation of sorts happened.
The school system changed to included all children. They would learn to read, write and study religion. The language of German was taught. Because the population became more literate, new traditions formed in the villages and cities. Luther's Christmas pageant would be performed by the children on Christmas morning. The Reformation encouraged growth in other areas as well.
This would be in the area of writing down the Saxons personal family history. In fact, now, many people can trace their family back as far as the 1550. To the Saxons, the art of writing and date keeping was even more important than to some of the other cultures in the area.
The printing press was all important for the teaching of the children. But it served another purpose that of uniting the people. Hermannstadt, Kronstadt and Klausenburg all had printing presses. They would publish many books in German. In Klausenburg the printing press would also print Hungarian and Romanian writings. This change could not take place with a strong Kingdom of Hungary. Only after the battle of Mohcs could this change happen.
The Austrian Hapsburgs desired to control Transylvania. In 1699, the Ottoman Turks gave up control over part of Transylvania. The Austrian Empire took control over the population of Transylvania. At first, there was not much change, but the changes would begin due to religion. The Saxons were Lutheran, The Romanians Orthodox and the Hungarian Catholics.
Emperor Joseph II of Austria attempted to force the Counter Reformation on the Saxons. For some Saxons this would mark a change in their lives since more taxes began to be placed on them. They worked harder on the farms and in the cities to pay for food and also for the high taxes that Joseph imposed on them.
This would continue for many years, but the Saxons would often point out the invitation rights given to them by Geza of Hungary which allowed them freedom of religion and language.
Rebecca writes about Transylvania on Things about Transylvania http://transylvaniathings.blogspot.com read more at The Saxons the Middle Period http://www.wikinut.com/saxons-of-transylvania-the-middle-period/czsx92r-/1zieooo8/
