Peasants and pastors: rural youth control and the Reformation in Hohenlohe, 1540-1680.

The article examines the history of the Reformation in rural Hohenlohe, Germany. The history of the Reformation in the area illustrated how peasants incorporated part of the reforms into a broader rural trend to renew patriarchy in the 16th century. Peasants in other parts of Europe undertook similar measures to control youth when they were forced to balance the needs of family members against limited resources. Hohenlohe peasants welcomed Lutheran pastors as allies in extending the tyranny of rural patriarchs over young people.