CATHARINE DE BORA,
WIFE OF LUTHER.
CATHARINE DE BORA;
OR,
Social and Domestic
SCENES IN THE
HOME OF LUTHER.
BY
JOHN G. MORRIS,
TRANSLATOR OF “THE BLIND GIRL OF WITTENBERG,” AND PASTOR OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE.
PHILADELPHIA:
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON.
1856.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON.
CONTENTS.
- Page
- CHAPTER I.
- Clerical Celibacy—Luther—Bernhardi’s Marriage—Treatment of Catharine De Bora—the Convent—Wealthy Nuns—Convent Life—the Escape—Treatment of the Nuns—Florentine de Oberweimer—Leonard Koppe—Luther’s Defence 9
- CHAPTER II.
- Luther’s Reflections—Example of the Apostles—Celibacy—Gregory VII.—Luther’s Change of Mind—Luther’s Marriage—Character of Catharine 27
- CHAPTER III.
- Wedding-Dinner—Melanchthon—Slanders 43
- CHAPTER IV.
- Luther’s Domestic Life—Character of Catharine—Perils of Luther—Sickness—Death of his Parents—Private Life—Catharine 52
- CHAPTER V.
- Income—Expenses—Hospitality—Charity—Diet—Afflictions—Despondency—Journeys—Death 70
- CHAPTER VI.
- Catharine, a Widow—Her Support—Sufferings—Journeys—Death 84
- CHAPTER VII.
- Luther’s Children—Domestic Character—Catharine 94
- CHAPTER VIII.
- Character of Catharine 120
PREFACE.
There are many interesting and characteristicincidents in the domestic life of Lutherwhich are not found in biographies of the greatReformer. The character of his wife has notbeen portrayed in full, and who does not wishto become better acquainted with a woman whomingled many a drop of balsam in those numerouscups of sorrow which her celebratedhusband was compelled to drink?
This little book is the result of extensiveresearch, and exhibits facts attested by themost reliable authorities, many of which will benew to those of my readers who have not investigatedthis particular subject.
J. G. M.
Baltimore, June, 1856.