Cologne book controversy 1509 to 1520: Dominicans and the convert Pfefferkorn drive the confiscation of Jewish books; the inquisitor Hochstraten proceeds against Reuchlin, who had defended the books

Johann Pfefferkorn, baptised in Cologne in 1505, placed himself under the protection of the Cologne Dominicans. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia their prior, the inquisitor Jacob van Hoogstraten, wanted to secure for his order in Germany the influence it had in Spain through the Inquisition, and devised with Pfefferkorn a scheme for the persecution of the Jews. Under Dominican auspices Pfefferkorn published inflammatory pamphlets and in 1509 obtained imperial edicts for the destruction of Jewish books; in 1510 the Jews of Frankfurt were forced to surrender all their books. When the humanist Johann Reuchlin argued for the Jews in an expert opinion, Dominicans and Cologne theologians proceeded against him with an inquisitorial trial. The sources contradict each other on the outcome in Rome.

Period

1509-1520 (11 years)

Country

Germany, Vatican City

Institutions

Dominican Order in Cologne
Cologne theology faculty
Holy See

Category

Anti-Judaism, Heresy trials, Censorship

Level of evidence

B two independent scholarly sources · what does this mean?

Background

Course of events

1. Pfefferkorn obtained from Emperor Maximilian an edict of 19 August 1509 that all Jewish writings against Christianity should be destroyed, and a second of 10 November 1509 ordering the destruction of all Hebrew books except the Old Testament. On 10 April 1510 the Jews of Frankfurt were forced to surrender all their books. After Reuchlin reported in favour of the Jews, the emperor suspended the edict on 23 May 1510; the books were returned on 6 June.
   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, Obtains Edicts Against Hebrew Books

   „This edict (dated Aug. 19, 1509) was followed by a second (dated Nov. 10, 1509), ordering the destruction of all Hebrew books except the Old Testament.“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, Obtains Edicts Against Hebrew Books

   „on April 10, 1510, the Jews were forced to surrender all the books in their possession“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, Obtains Edicts Against Hebrew Books

   „Reuchlin reported in favor of the Jews, and on May 23, 1510, the emperor suspended his edict of Nov. 10, 1509“

   Evidence: Encyclopædia Britannica, 11. Auflage (1911), Artikel Reuchlin

   „in 1509 he got from the emperor authority to confiscate all Jewish books directed against the Christian faith“

Why? Justification and motives (according to the sources)

1. Pfefferkorn was baptised in Cologne in 1505 and placed himself under the protection of the Dominicans, who according to the Jewish Encyclopedia used him as a pliable tool. Their prior Jacob van Hoogstraten wanted to secure for his order in Germany the influence it had acquired in Spain through the Inquisition, and devised a scheme for the persecution of the Jews with Pfefferkorn as an adviser. From 1507 Pfefferkorn's pamphlets appeared under Dominican auspices, among them Der Judenspiegel and Der Judenfeind; the Latin translations seem to have been made by the Dominicans so that the whole Catholic world should know of their attacks.
   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, His anti-Jewish Writings

   „He placed himself under the protection of the Dominican friars, who found in him a pliable tool which they used to the utmost.“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, His anti-Jewish Writings

   „who wished to secure for his order the same influence in Germany which it had acquired in Spain through the Inquisition. He therefore devised a scheme for the persecution of the Jews“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, His anti-Jewish Writings

   „The Latin translations seem to have been made by the Dominicans, who intended that the whole Catholic world should know of their attacks against the Jews“

   Evidence: Encyclopædia Britannica, 11. Auflage (1911), Artikel Reuchlin

   „Pfefferkorn’s plans were backed by the Dominicans of Cologne“

Response of the Church

1. The sources contradict each other on the outcome. According to the Britannica judgment was given in July 1516; the decision was really for Reuchlin, but the trial was simply quashed. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia the Bishop of Speyer decided in favour of Reuchlin in 1514 and the Lateran Council supported this in 1516, but in 1520 Pope Leo X declared Reuchlin guilty and condemned the Augenspiegel; the Dominicans had been very active in trying to influence the judges and the pope.
   Evidence: Encyclopædia Britannica, 11. Auflage (1911), Artikel Reuchlin

   „Judgment was not finally given till July 1516; and then, though the decision was really for Reuchlin, the trial was simply quashed.“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, Pfefferkorn and Reuchlin

   „In 1520 Pope Leo X. declared Reuchlin guilty, and condemned the "Augenspiegel."“

   Evidence: Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906), Artikel Pfefferkorn, Pfefferkorn and Reuchlin

   „the Dominicans had been very active in trying to influence the judges and the pope“

See also

• 1239-1559 · 320 years

  Burnings of the Talmud 1239 to 1559: On papal orders Dominicans, Franciscans and the Inquisition seized Jewish books and burned them in public

  • France
  • Italy
  • Anti-Judaism
  • Censorship
• Person 1475-1521 · about 46 years old

  Pope Leo X (Giovanni de' Medici)

  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Vatican City
  • Financial misconduct

Scholarly literature and reference works

1. Reference work
   Jewish Encyclopedia (1901 bis 1906): Pfefferkorn, Johann (Joseph) (Gotthard Deutsch, Frederick T. Haneman). Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
2. Reference work
   Encyclopædia Britannica, 11. Auflage (1911): Reuchlin, Johann, 1 January 1911. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.