Acht und Bann im 15. und 16. Jahrhundert

»Proscription by the Emperor and Excommunication by the Pope During the 15th and 16th Century«Even in the 16th century the combined acts of secular condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor and excommunication by the Pope were considered necessary to ensure the execution of verdicts. In practise however many of the lawsuits proved to be so highly political that the double execution by outlawing and excommunication could not be achieved. Several examples shall demonstrate how far the imperial and papal interests differed from each other. On the other hand in territories, which had adopted the Reformation, a condemnation by secular and at the same time clerical authorities led to a revival of the »Christian ban«.