The Diet of Worms enters the book through an explanatory note that identifies Luther’s famous words before the assembly. The reference makes the event a historical point of association for a declaration of steadfastness, rather than presenting the proceedings as a narrated scene.

The Historical Reference

The note names the Diet of Worms as the setting before which Luther spoke the words “Ich kann nicht anders, Gott helfe mir!” It supplies no further account of the assembly or the circumstances of the declaration.

Function in the Book

The reference appears in a note explaining the phrase, not as an episode developed in the main narrative. Its significance here rests on the remembered association between Luther’s declaration and the Diet of Worms; the book offers no additional details about the event.