"Coram Caesarea Maiestate". Alciato, Socini e la controversia sul Wurttemberg: al bivio tra diritto e politica

Partecipating in the War of Smalcald, the Duke of Württemberg Ulrich runs into a conflict with Ferdinand of Hapsburg, who charges him with felony and lese majesty. During the trial, many jurists are involved as counselors: the most famous ones are Alciatus and Socinus. Their legal consults investigate problems of Criminal and Feudal law, in order to assist the customer; but they have to persuade a particular judge, who had been the principal injured party of the War: Charles V. Legal arguments and political dynamics are interwined in this affair, that represents a good point of view to observe the conflict between universalism and State-building at the time of the Reformation.