History of the Reformation in Germany (Three Volumes Complete)

A major multi-volume historical work by the German historian Leopold von Ranke (1795?1886), first published between 1839 and 1847 (six volumes in German). An English translation by Sarah Austin appeared in the mid-1840s in three volumes, which is what this set is, here. The work examines the German Reformation primarily as a political and constitutional process intertwined with religious change, rather than as a purely theological or biographical study of Martin Luther. Ranke traces events from the late 15th century through the mid-16th century, with the core narrative centered on the period from Luther?s emergence (c. 1517) to the consolidation of confessional divisions and early religious settlements.Ranke, a pioneer of modern source-based historiography, emphasizes critical use of archival documents and seeks to show ?how it actually was? (wie es eigentlich gewesen). He presents the Reformation as a national German movement that challenged papal authority and interacted with the Empire?s fragmented political structure. While attentive to religious ideas, he focuses more on the political, institutional, and diplomatic dimensions?the struggle between Empire and Papacy evolving into the contest between Catholicism and Protestantism, and the resulting transformation of the German constitution. The work is regarded as one of Ranke?s major achievements and a foundational text in modern Reformation historiography.ABOUT THIS SET: This second edition is bound in matching light brown leather. Covers are plain except for double gilt boarder around the edges. Hubbed spines with gilt ornamentation. All edges marbled in greens, red, navy blue and off-white. Marbled endpapers. Medium-sized font. Each volume measures 8.5 inches tall x 5.5" wide. On a shelf, this set spans almost 4.5 inches. - Volume I: xviii, 545 pp.- Volume II: iv, 540 pp.- Volume III: viii, 663 pp.CONDITION: This set has external wear, particularly along the spines. Two of the the volumes the spines have been rebacked but there is erosion. One of the marbled endpapers is torn away at the front of Volume I. The backboard of Volume II is from a different book with a ex-libris bookplate affixed, but does hold the The backstrip is missing on Volume III with writing in pen, and the back board has detached, yet is present. Leaves have lightly and evenly toned and are unmarked with very little foxing. Even with all of its flaws, this is a phenomenal work in second edition. Full refund if not satisfied.…