Luthers Evening at Home. Martin Luther is pictured here at home with his family, singing as he plays his instrument. Martin Luther (14831546) was the German leader of the Protestant Reformation. In 1521, he was formally excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and summoned before the Diet of Worms. The Diet had been called by Emperor Charles V and, among other matters, took up the doctrines spread by Luther. Luther arrived under safe conduct on April 16, refused to yield ground in lengthy arguments with theologians. Katarina von Bora (1499-1552) was the wife of Martin Luther, and they had six children.