Footnote

a In modern times, Roman Catholic Church historians have asserted that Luther’s nailing of the theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, is “a legend of history by the Protestant churches.” Uncontested, however, is the fact that he wrote a respectful letter to Archbishop Albert that day and enclosed a copy of the theses. Luther asked him to reprove his indulgence preachers and to cancel the instructions. The original letter still exists in the Swedish State Archives in Stockholm.