ADELMANN, BERNHARD VON ADELMANNSPELDEN. - Humanist, canon of Eichstätt, b. c. 1457, perhaps at Schechingen, d. 16 Dec. 1523. He studied at Heidelberg, Basel, and Ferrara. In 1472 he received a canonry at Eichstätt, which he did not occupy until 1486; he obtained another at Augsburg in 1498.
He was a follower of Erasmus and a supporter of Reuchlin in the controversy over Jewish books. He followed Luther as soon as the latter began to gain influence.
When G. Eck observed that “only a few ignorant canons stood with Luther,” A., together with Oecolampadius, replied to him with a work, Canonici indocti Lutherani, soon translated into German. Eck was therefore right, when promulgating the bull Exurge, Domine (15 June 1520), which condemned Lutheran errors, to name A. among the six who
were to recant within 60 days, under penalty of excommunication (Aug. 1520). After much hesitation, A. was the first to submit (Nov. 1520); not entirely convinced, however, since he continued thereafter secretly to side with Luther.