Worms, Edict of, was a decree that declared Reformation leader Martin Luther a heretic and cast him and his followers outside the protection of the law. The decree was issued by a diet (assembly) of princes, nobles, and clergy at Worms, Germany, in May 1521.
The edict was an important instance of a civil body issuing a condemnation for the religious charge of heresy. Succeeding diets debated whether it should be enforced, and leagues of Roman Catholic and Protestant states were formed to defend each side of the question. The conflict did not end until the truce provided by the Peace of Augsburg in 1555.
