A Humanist on the Frontier: The Life Story of a Sixteenth-Century Central European Pastor

A Humanist on the Frontier examines the life of Sebastian Ambrosius, a sixteenth-century Lutheran minister and intellectual from Késmárk (now Kežmarok) in present-day Slovakia, shedding light on urban communities, communication within the humanist Republic of Letters, and ecclesiastical controversies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A Humanist on the Frontier delves into the captivating life of Sebastian Ambrosius, a sixteenth-century Lutheran minister and intellectual hailing from Késmárk (present-day Kežmarok) in present-day Slovakia, once situated on the borderland of the Kingdom of Hungary. By scrutinizing Ambrosius' publications and correspondence, this book sheds fresh light on the intricate dynamics of urban communities in Upper Hungary, the exchange of ideas within the humanist Republic of Letters across Central European and broader European networks, and the ecclesiastical controversies of the time. Through the application of microhistory and cultural history methodologies, it also reconstructs Ambrosius' life by placing him in various contexts that explore his relationships with, and interpretations of, themes such as power, tradition, vocation, communication, and identity.

This book holds immense significance for scholars and students of early modern European history, as well as those intrigued by microhistory, cultural history, and the Republic of Letters. It offers a profound exploration of a lesser-known figure and provides valuable insights into the social, intellectual, and religious landscapes of sixteenth-century Central Europe.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032059280