It was as little connected with religion as anything in that theological age could be.

[Sidenote: Luebeck, 1533-35] The city of Luebeck, under its burgomaster George Wullenwever, tried to free itself from the influence of Denmark and at the same time to get a more popular {119} government.

In 1536 it was conquered by Christian III of Denmark, and the old aristocratic constitution restored.

The time was not ripe for the people to assert its rights in North Germany.
[Sidenote: May 1534] The growth of Protestantism was at times assisted by force of arms.
Thus, Philip of Hesse restored the now Protestant Duke Ulrich of Wurttemberg, who had been expelled for his tyranny by the Swabian League fifteen years before.

This triumph was the more marked because the expropriated ruler was Ferdinand, King of the Romans.