Eastern Europe

In Eastern Europe, the success of reformers varied from one locale to another. In Poland, for example, the movement began with the nobility before spreading to the general population. In areas where the movement lacked popular support, the Roman Church was more successful at reasserting its influence.


The Lutheran reforms were more successful in Hungary, where the ruling class had been weakened by the struggle with the Ottoman Empire. Hungary did not return to the Roman Church until a 17th century counter-reformation. Even then, the influence of the Hungarian Protestants remained significant into the 18th century.