Friedrich Eckart (-IV)

Friedrich Eckart, (-IV), (*around 1490 in Eckenreuth, near Betzenstein, Germany; †around 1540), peasant in Eckenreuth, Germany, married Unknown before 1515

Little is known about Friedrich Eckart, as is the case with his father. According to sources, he lived as a peasant in Eckenreuth between 1516 and 1539. He married before 1515; however, his wife is unknown. A son of Friedrich Eckart, who was also called Friedrich (-III), was born around 1515. At the time when Friedrich Eckart married and his son Friedrich was born, supporters of Martin Luther organized in Nuremberg. Protestant preachers were appointed, and the Reformation was encouraged. In Betzenstein, though, there was no independent Protestant movement, which was also connected with the fact that Paul Adelhardt, the priest at the time, was vehemently opposed to it. Nevertheless, in April 1526, he was called upon by the council of Nuremberg to preach Protestant sermons and introduce the Protestant order of service.