Perhaps it was someone from Albert’s court who, like so many Germans, was disturbed by Roman interference in German affairs. In a relatively short period of time, Luther was perceived as a loyal German standing up to the Roman religious occupation of Germany, and Albert was seen as a collaborator with the enemy of the German people. A groundswell of support for Luther emerged in late 1517 and early 1518. When faced with ecclesiastical opposition, this new German Hercules (as early woodcuts make clear)