“When King Christian III signed his Charter and the Statute for Copenhagen, October 30, 1536, this act signified the victory of the Lutheran Reformation in Denmark. However, to accomplish the Reformatiton it was necessary to stipulate firm rules regulating church administration. Theologicans from the Kingdom and the Duchies met several times to debate these rules, and the ensuing draft was sent to Martin Luther in Wittenberg for approval. In July 1537 J. Bugenhagen came to Copenhagen and discussed the draft with the Council of State, and on September 2, the ”Church Ordinance“ was signed by the King. Bugenhagen then supervised the printing which was finished December 13, 1537.” Thesaurus #62.

Provenance: Rosenørn-Lehn, Orebygaard, auct. 1939 to Peter Jensen (his auct. #26). After that “Rosenkilde & Bagger”, catalogue 146, #325, Ballhausen, #196. After that Flemming Erik Pedersen (1931–2020).