The cities, as in Germany, were the strongest centers of the movement.

The Diet of 1527 decreed that Lutherans should be recognized on equal terms with Catholics, that marriage of priests {137} and the regular clergy be allowed.

In 1530 a Lutheran confession was adopted.
Christian III, who reigned until 1559, took the final step, though at the price of a civil war.

His victory enabled him to arrest all the bishops, August 20, 1536, and to force them to renounce their rights and properties in favor of the crown.

Only one, Bishop Roennow of Roskilde, refused, and was consequently held prisoner until his death.
The Diet of 1536 abolished Catholicism, confiscated all church property and distributed it between the king and the temporal nobles.
Bugenhagen was called from Wittenberg to organize the church on Lutheran lines.