The founding of the Reform University of Pietism and Enlightenment in Halle is enshrined in legend. In reality, it served the religious policies of the Hohenzollern in the 17th century, who favored reformists over Lutherans. Halle was the scene of complex inter- and intra-denominational conflict between pietists, enlightenment philosophers, orthodox Lutherans, and reformists an impossible place for clearly ascribing denominational identity.

Marianne Taatz-Jacobi, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.