Remain Catholic?

How the Catholic regions of the old Confederation reacted to the Reformation has rarely been examined in depth. Many questions remain open for Freiburg im Üchtland, as earlier historiography primarily highlighted the outcomes rather than addressing the associated processes. This study fills research gaps and provides a new perspective on local and regional events from 1520 to 1550 by incorporating previously overlooked sources. It focuses on the scarcely studied pro-reformist environments in Freiburg and evaluates local measures against the Reformation. It addresses the four Bernese-Freiburg lordships that underwent the transition from the old to the new faith. In doing so, it explains the forms of governmental administration, the Bernese-Freiburg interaction in conflict situations, and emphasizes the role of the local population and the bailiffs. Finally, it looks at the historiography on the topic of Freiburg and the Reformation.