[lbo-talk] Texas school board drops Jefferson, adds Calvin

[C. G. Estabrook]

Roughly speaking, the Reformation (= ending of Catholic worship, institution of
other forms) succeeded where feudal lords and monarchs did not have control of
ecclesiastical institutions; it aided their acquisition of that control (e.g.,
Germany, England). It failed where feudal lords and monarchies had already
successfully established that control (e.g., France and Italy).

You're right about the church's attempt to free itself from the feudal order. 
Its principal strategy for doing so is not without repercussions today: 
<www.counterpunch.org/estabrook0420.html>.

Chris Doss wrote:
> How come this Protestant Reformation thing didn't happen in Italy and France?
> 
> 
> Ya know, in the Middle Ages the Church stood outside of the feudal system and
> coexisted with it very uneasily. Witness the constant struggles between the
> Church and various kings. I'm also not clear on what means of production the
> Church controlled.