On an April evening over 400 years ago a simple monk faced the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. His words, heard by only a roomful of people, have echoed through the centuries: My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant any things for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand.Because he took his stand, Martin Luther shattered the structure of medieval Catholicism and initiated Protestantism.This authoritative, dramatic biography of Martin Luther interprets his experience, his work, writings, and lasting contributions. With sound historical scholarship and with keen insight into Luther's religious problems and values it recreates the spiritual setting of the sixteenth century, shows Luther's place within it and his influence upon it, and brings the spirit and message of Martin Luther to life today.Here I Stand is richly illustrated with woodcuts and engravings from Luther's own time—satirical cartoons; ornamented title pages of tracts and books, including Luther's Bible; and portraits of the leaders in the political and religious struggle. It is rich also in information and quotation from firsthand sources selected from the whole range of extant sixteenth-century German writings, including some hitherto unused in any studies in English. This is a significant contribution to Protestant faith—a vivid, discerning portrayal of the man who, because of unshakable faith in his God, could face his accusers and say: "Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me"