The relation between law and religion in the Early Modern period has in recent years developed into one of the core topics in early modern studies. A growing number of monographs as well as research projects is proof of this development. In order to bring these studies together, to encourage further research and to open up a venue for publications on this topic, it is essential to have high quality, academic bookseries, such as Law and Religion in the Early Modern Period.
The emergence of the modern state and the manifold religious conflicts initiated by the Reformation put legislation, jurisdiction and their administrative implementation in a central position to deal with religious matters: The Law could be applied to curb, control and settle religious conflict – or it could be used as an instrument of persecution and confessional purification in the interest of secular rulers. The overlapping of secular and religious rule in the Early Modern world posed special challenges to the authorities of both spheres. But it also opened up possibilities to negotiate the terms of a peaceful coexistence in the multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies of the period.
Therefore the book series is not limited to studies in Legal History, but will be open to historiographical publications in general focusing on the interplay between law and religion in the 16th and 17th centuries. The series presents not only the latest in research on the Catholic, Lutheran and Calvinistic traditions and on their interrelations – it is also open for studies concerning all other religious communities like e.g. the Jewish and Muslim populations.
The series is interdisciplinary and interconfessional. It is edited by internationally recognized scholars and supported by REFORC Members such as the Catholic University of Leuven and the LEUCOREA Stiftung in Wittenberg, and published by Ferdinand Schöningh. The editors welcome monographs and collections of contributions. Publication languages are English and German.
Herman Selderhuis, Apeldoorn
Wim Decock, Louvain-la-Neuve
Laura Beck Varela, Madrid
Heinrich de Wall, Erlangen
Tarald Rasmussen, Oslo
Endre Sashalmi, Pécs
