THE BULWARK OF CHRISTENDOM 139
were divided among themselves. In 1562, a long-standing dispute between the
conservatives and the radical wings led to schism. The radicals seceded, and as
'Arians' developed one of Europe's earliest and most thoroughgoing experi-
ments in primitive Christianity. (See Map n.)
Once the two great rebellions of Danzig were settled, in 1526, and again in
1577-8, the Lutherans were effectively protected from outside interference for
more than a century. Secure in their municipal charters, and in royal promises
of toleration first made by Zygmunt-August and repeated by Bathory, the
Lutheran burghers enjoyed freedom of worship. Their intellectual activities
found a ready focus in the University of Konigsberg, founded in 1545 by
Abraham Kulwiec (Culvensis, 1510-45), a Lithuanian refugee from Wilno, and
in the celebrated Gymnazium at Danzig. They were variously patronized first by
Queen Bona Sforza and later by Anna Vasa, the Protestant sister of Sigismund
III. Such disputes as arose were directed at the Calvinists no less than at the
Catholics. Yet, contrary to impressions created in later times, the ecumenical
spirit flourished. In this respect, the history of the city of Thorn serves as a prime
example to illustrate the way that protracted harmony passes easily into obliv-
ion, whilst one sensational disaster is meticulously remembered for centuries. In
1595, this largely German city, acted as host to a Protestant Synod convoked to
uphold the Confederation of Warsaw. In 1645, it hosted the interconfessional
'Colloquium of Love' proposed by King Wladyslaw IV. For several months,
Protestant and Catholic divines discussed their theological and practical differ-
ences in an atmosphere of restraint and mutual respect. Although no firm con-
clusions were reached, they showed that Christian charity could still triumph
over sectarian bigotry. In 1674, a Spanish diplomat who visited Thorn on his
way to Sobieski's Election, noted the scene with pleasurable surprise:
In this city, as in the rest of the province... the free exercise of the two religions, Catholic
and Lutheran, is permitted. Those of the latter confession occupy the principal churches
of the place, whilst the Catholics have two religious houses, one belonging to the
Dominicans and the other to the Company of Jesus, where they celebrate the divine
offices with much sumptuousness and magnificence.... Nevertheless, all live in great
harmony with each other, and without disputes or arguments on questions of belief -
which is the best way to preserve peace.^17
No one could have predicted that one single incident fifty years later could
brand the name of Thorn forever with the mark of Catholic fanaticism.
Thorn was one of those German cities whose separate privileges had been
established by the Act of Incorporation of Royal Prussia in 1457, and specifically
confirmed at the Treaty of Oliwa in 1660. Its German Lutheran inhabitants
greatly outnumbered the Catholics. On 16 July 1724 the Catholic Procession of
Our Lady was interrupted by a fracas between the Jesuit students and some
Lutheran bystanders. According to the Jesuits, the trouble started when a
Lutheran burgher, shouting insults and failing to raise his hat when the proces-
sion passed, was forcibly uncovered by one of the students. According to the