# The Fuggers — Religion and the Rise of Capitalism character guide

> The Fuggers in Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by R. H. Tawney.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The Fuggers, the Fuggers

**First appearance:** 0003-religion-and-the-rise-of-capitalism

## Who they are

Powerful German banking family in early capitalism.

## In the story

### [II: The Economic Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/chapters/ii-the-economic-revolution)

The Fugger banking family is central to the chapter's analysis of financial power, illustrating how they financed monarchs and the Church, controlled mines and trade, and wielded immense influence over European politics.

### [Luther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/chapters/ii-luther)

Cited as the great capitalist house that financed Eck's expedition to Bologna, and as the target of Luther's call to 'put a bit in the mouth of the holy company of the Fuggers.'

### [The Growth of Individualism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/chapters/iii-the-growth-of-individualism)

Mentioned as an example of early commercial capitalists who were denounced by preachers and theologians, yet were innocents compared to later financial speculators.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/characters/the_fuggers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/characters