PROTESTANT, The Term, Sylvester Hassell The name of “Protestants” originated from the solemn “Protest” (April 19, 1529) made by the evangelical princes of Germany against the intolerant decree of the second Diet of Spire—the Protest reciting, in defense of its position, the Scriptures, the inalienable rights of conscience, and the decree of the first Diet of Spire (in 1526), which left each State to its own discretion concerning the question of reform until a general council should settle it for all.” (Hassell’s History pg 472)