Back Schmalkaldischer Bund ALS اتحاد شمالكالدي Arabic Şmalkalden İttifaqı Azerbaijani Lliga d'Esmalcalda Catalan Šmalkaldský spolek Czech Schmalkaldiske forbund Danish Schmalkaldischer Bund German Ένωση του Σμαλκάλντεν Greek Ŝmalkalda Ligo Esperanto Liga de Esmalcalda Spanish
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2024) |
 Original members in light purple, later members in dark purple. | |
| Formation | February 1531 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Schmalkalden, Hesse, Holy Roman Empire |
| Dissolved | 1547 |
| Type | Military and political alliance |
| Membership | |
Official language | |
Leadership | Philip I John Frederick I |
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The Schmalkaldic League (English: /ʃmɔːlˈkɔːldɪk/; German: Schmalkaldischer Bund; Medieval Latin: Foedus Smalcaldicum or Liga Smalcaldica) was a military alliance of Lutheran principalities and cities within the Holy Roman Empire during the mid-16th century. It received its name from the town of Schmalkalden, where the group was founded in 1531.
Although created for religious motives soon after the start of the Reformation, its members later came to have the intention that the League would replace the Holy Roman Empire as their focus of political allegiance.[1]
While it was not the first alliance of its kind, unlike previous formations, such as the League of Torgau, the Schmalkaldic League had a substantial military to defend its political and religious interests.