SCHWENEFELD, CASPAR VON, a German reformer; born of noble family, in Ossig, Lower Silesia, in 1490; studied two years at Cologne and elsewhere, and, before retiring into private life in 1521 to a constant study of the Scriptures, served at various courts with Duke Charles of Miinsterberg, and as aulic counsellor with Duke Frederick II. of Liegnitz. About 1525 he openly declared for Luther, and went to Wittenberg to converse with him, but found his views widely divergent on baptism and the eu charist. Still further, he found himself unable to accept any confessions of faith except such as followed closely the let ter of Scripture. Schwenkfeld did not himself partake of the Lord's Supper, though he did not forbid it to others. He did not approve of infant baptism, yet without admitting the Baptist view of the importance of the baptism of adults.
Schwenkfeld's view brought him the hatred of the Lutherans and Catholics alike. The influence of the Emperor Fer dinand forced the Duke of Liegnitz to banish him in 1529, and he thereafter traveled to Ulm, Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Strasburg, everywhere gaining disci ples. Luther fiercely denounced him, and
many untrue charges were brought against him by others. He died in Ulm, Dee. 10, 1561. Schwenkfeld wrote 90 distinct works, most of which were burned by Protestants and Catholics. By means of personal teaching and his books a group of earnest disciples more than 4,000 strong was formed all over Ger many, but mostly in Swabia and Silesia, under the name of Confessors, or Fol lowers of the Glory of Christ. They were persecuted in Silesia in his lifetime, and many emigrated to Holland, some to England. The Jesuit mission established in Silesia in 1719 persecuted the rem nant still further, and some joined the Protestant churches, some fled to Saxony, where they were protected by Count Zin zendorf. In 1734 40 families emigrated to England, and finally thence to Penn sylvania, where, as Schwenkfeldians, they have maintained a distinct existence to this day.