Praise for
Luther and Katharina
“Jody Hedlund’s Luther and Katharina is an absorbing and deeply researched look into the life and ministry of a figure in church history I’d previously known only from a few dusty facts. Jody breathes life into those facts with this fascinating and intimate portrayal of Martin Luther’s life. Luther and Katharina is a compelling tale of tested faith, tumultuous church history, and incredible courage against daunting odds—and one of the most unique love stories I’ve read in ages.”
—LORI BENTON, author of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn and The Wood’s Edge
“My favorite Jody Hedlund novel to date! Luther and Katharina is a work of heart, showcasing a unique setting, a rich plot, and a shimmering romance drawn from two of history’s most beloved heroes of the faith, Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora. Well done!”
—LAURA FRANTZ, author of The Mistress of Tall Acre
“Luther and Katharina is a sweeping romance set against the turbulent background of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. At times heartbreaking, at times breathtaking, readers will be swept away by both the love story and the historical details woven expertly through every chapter. Don’t miss this one!”
—ROBIN LEE HATCHER, best-selling author of Whenever You Come Around and Keeper of the Stars
“Complex and emotionally rich, Luther and Katharina gripped me from the very start and never let go. Not even when the final page was turned. The history, the love story, the depth of faith in this novel is masterfully woven by Jody Hedlund.”
—TAMERA ALEXANDER, USA Today best-selling author of To Win Her Favor and A Lasting Impression
BOOKS BY JODY HEDLUND
The Hearts of Faith Series
The Preacher’s Bride
The Doctor’s Lady
Rebellious Heart
The Michigan Brides Collection
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Captured by Love
The Beacons of Hope Series
Out of the Storm: A Novella
Love Unexpected
Hearts Made Whole
Young Adult
The Vow: Prequel to An Uncertain Choice, A Novella
An Uncertain Choice
LUTHER AND KATHARINA
PUBLISHED BY WATERBROOK PRESS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921
All Scripture quotations or paraphrases are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Apart from well-known people, events, and locales that figure into the narrative, all names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.
Trade Paperback ISBN 9781601427625
eBook ISBN 9781601427632
Copyright © 2015 by Jody Hedlund
Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Mike Heath, Magnus-Creative
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
WATERBROOK and its deer colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hedlund, Jody.
Luther and Katharina : a novel of love and rebellion / Jody Hedlund.—First edition.
pages ; cm
ISBN 978-1-60142-762-5 (softcover)—ISBN 978-1-60142-763-2 (electronic) 1. Luther, Katharina von Bora, 1499-1552—Fiction. 2. Luther, Martin, 1483-1546—Fiction. 3. Reformation—Germany—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3608.E333L88 2015
813'.6—dc23
2015015818
v4.1
ep
Contents
Cover
Books by Jody Hedlund
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Main Characters in Luther and Katharina
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Reading Group Guide
About the Author
This book is for you, Dad.
As a Lutheran pastor you embodied Martin Luther in so many ways: in personality, love of family, devotion to the gospel, and passion for your flock. You were well loved everywhere you served.
As you look down from heaven, I hope you’re proud of your little girl.
Katharina von Bora—a daughter of noble birth, but raised in convents from the age of five; also called Kate
Martin (or Martinus) Luther—once an Augustinian monk but excommunicated by the Catholic church; nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, sparking the Reformation; renowned minister and writer of the sixteenth century
Abbess Margareta (Reverend Mother)—at Marienthron, she disciplines Katharina for Baltazar; also Katharina’s aunt
Abbot Baltazar—Abbot of Marienthron
Amsdorf—friend to Luther
Aunt Lena/Aunt Magdalena (von Bora)—remains at Marienthron after Katharina escapes; serves as a mother figure to Katharina
Charles V—historical figure, lived 1500–1558; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 1519–1556
Cranach family—Lucas Cranach, one of the wealthiest men in Wittenberg, owns a printing shop and prints most of Luther’s writings; a famous painter; his wife, Barbara, befriends Katharina
Dr. Glatz of Orlamünde—lives in Wittenberg; a rector
Elector Frederick—Luther’s benefactor and protector, who has his home palace in Torgau; also known as Prince Frederick, or Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
Greta—maidservant to Katharina; escapes with her from the Marienthron convent; in love with Thomas
Hans Luther—father of Jacob and Martin; a smelter
Jacob Luther—Martin’s younger brother
Jerome Baumgartner—friend of Elsa Reichenbach; comes to stay and develops a relationship with Katharina von Bora
Johann von Staupitz—Augustinian vicar and a mentor to Luther
Justus Jonas—close friend of Luther’s
Margaret von Schonfeld—a nun who escaped from the Marienthron convent; a close friend to Katharina and is interested in Luther
Merchant Koppe—a supporter of Luther; helps the nuns escape
Pastor Johannes Bugenhagen—pastor of the Stadtkirche in Wittenberg; a friend of Luther’s
Philipp Melanchthon—friend of Luther’s; father to little Anna
Reichenbach family—the family Katharina initially works for in Wittenberg; Elsa is wife and mother; her husband is the mayor
Thomas—Merchant Koppe’s servant; in love with Greta
Wolfgang—Luther’s manservant at the Black Cloister
Zeschau sisters—Fronica and Etta; were tortured at Marienthron but escaped with Katharina
Before dawn on Easter morning, 1523
Saxony, Germany
Time to jump.
With trembling legs tangling in her scapular, Katharina crouched on the stone ledge of the window and peered down at the matted grass, still hard and untouched by spring. She blinked back a wave of dizziness and hoped the two-story drop wasn’t as far as it looked.
The blackness of the barren cloister yard spread before her—the neatly trimmed hedges, the gardens, and the thick stone wall beyond. Nothing moved. No one was in sight…although anyone could be hidden in the thousands of shadows the April moonlight couldn’t reach.
“You must help lower me.” Katharina clutched her maidservant’s arm to steady herself. She took a last deep breath of the familiar mustiness of the abbey, then swung her feet over the edge.
“No,” came Margaret’s strained whisper behind her. It echoed against the bare walls of Katharina’s cell, gripping her and threatening to immobilize her. “We mustn’t leave without Sister Ruth.”
“We’ve been back from the vigil too long.” Greta spoke urgently. “We can’t wait anymore.”
In the scant moonlight Margaret’s thin face was as pale as the plain white band wound around her forehead. Her narrow nose and pointed chin were pronounced and severe but belied by the kind worry in her eyes. “Something must have happened to Sister Ruth—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Greta said, nudging Katharina further to the edge.
Katharina glanced over her shoulder to the other sisters, some huddled against the wall shivering, others resting on her straw-filled pallet. She had the feeling they were shuddering more from fear than from the frosty air that had swept into the narrow, unheated cell.
If she delayed any longer, she’d put everyone at greater risk and possibly ruin their chance of leaving undetected.
“Just a few more minutes.” Margaret’s fingers quivered against Katharina’s arm. The tall woman, who was like a sister to Katharina, had one fault—too much compassion.
Through the barred aperture on the cell door, Katharina glimpsed the outline of Aunt Lena’s head. But there was no sign of anyone else and no sound—just the utter silence required both day and night. Katharina prayed that all the other Marienthron sisters were sleeping heavily, especially after staying up much later than usual celebrating the Vigil of Easter with the consecration of the Easter fire outside the church. It was the one occasion each year that changed the routine of their carefully prescribed worship hours, the one occasion when they were permitted to stay up late, the one occasion when escape might be possible.
Katharina’s chest tightened with agony. She didn’t want to abandon Sister Ruth, but they had run out of time. “I’m sorry, Margaret.” She squeezed her friend’s cold, bony fingers. “But Greta’s right. We need to be far away by the summoning for Prime. We must leave now.”
Katharina tugged up her habit and gripped the rough stone. Did she dare jump? Did she really think she could sneak all nine of them out of the abbey without getting caught?
She’d prepared for this moment for days, considered every detail, from the time they would leave to the exact route. She’d even spent days prying loose the lattice window in her cell so she could remove it soundlessly on the night of their escape.
In spite of such careful planning, something could still go wrong. Anything could happen between her window and the cloister wall. And if they made it over the outer wall, Abbot Baltazar would hunt them down like hares.
The skin on her back prickled at the memory of Abbot Baltazar’s whip whistling through the air and slapping against the bare flesh of the Zeschau sisters. Only yesterday he’d beaten the young women because of a letter he’d discovered hidden in one of their pallets. Communication with the outside world was severely limited to help maintain their proper focus on God. But lately the abbot had restricted their visitation rights and missives even more. He was no fool. He knew the rumors about Martin Luther and his writings had begun to make their way into convents. And after intercepting the Zeschau sisters’ letter, the abbot was well aware of just how much Luther’s teachings had infiltrated Marienthron.
Of course, through the beating, the abbot had hoped to discover who had given the Zeschau sisters the letter and how. But the young women had remained silent, much to his frustration.
Katharina’s stomach lurched. If a mere letter could incite him to violence, what punishment would he devise for their attempting to run away?
Fingers squeezed her shoulder tenderly. She pivoted on the ledge and found herself looking into the tear-filled eyes of Aunt Lena. The thick cell door stood open, and another one of the nuns stood guard.
“God will be with you, child,” Aunt Lena whispered. Her black veil shadowed the tiredness and sadness that always seemed to etch her plump face.
“Come with us.” Katharina knew her request would do little good. Aunt Lena had insisted that at age forty she was too old to leave the convent, get married, and start a new life. And now Katharina had run out of time to convince her otherwise. She stroked the woman’s fleshy cheek, knowing if she escaped to freedom, she wouldn’t see Aunt Lena again.
Aunt Lena cupped Katharina’s chin and pointed her face toward the plain wooden cross, the single adornment allowed in the barren cell. “Don’t forget to pray.”
“I won’t.”
She pulled Katharina’s head against her ample bosom and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you, Katharina von Bora.”
Katharina’s throat constricted with an ache that rose from her chest. When had she last heard anyone speak those words? Certainly not in all the years she’d lived at Marienthron, where stoicism was commanded and affection forbidden.
Aunt Lena stepped back, her features reflecting embarrassment at her bold words. Although none of the nuns were supposed to show favoritism, Katharina had always known that her aunt cared about her. But this was the first time she had spoken words of love.
Katharina wished she could express her feelings for the woman who had replaced her mother. But even if she found the words, they couldn’t slip past the tightness in her throat.
Go. Aunt Lena motioned in the sign language they often used. No more good-byes.
Please. Come with us. Katharina signed back.
Aunt Lena shook her head and pointed at the window.
Katharina hesitated. As the nun on night watch, Aunt Lena would be questioned about the escape. Eventually Abbot Baltazar would guess her aunt’s involvement in aiding them and would discipline her. How would she survive his wrath, the beating he would surely give her?
Greta gripped Katharina’s arms, her fingers digging through the layers of her habit to pinch her skin. “My lady, we’re wasting time.” Panic laced the servant’s whisper.
Katharina nodded. The time for thinking was over.
She turned back to the window, and then with Greta’s assistance she hoisted herself over the ledge so that she was hanging down the cloister wall, her cheek brushing against cold stone. Her soft leather shoes dangled just above the arched window of the first floor.
After Greta released her hold on Katharina’s arms, she clung to the rocky edge for a moment, the jagged ledge scraping the tender skin of her fingers. With a whooshin
g breath she closed her eyes and let go.
In an instant she found herself slamming against the hard earth, the air forced out of her lungs. For a long moment in the darkness, she gasped for breath. At a thud and grunt next to her, she lifted her head to see Greta crouched beside her, struggling to catch her breath too.
“You should have waited for my assistance,” she softly chided her servant as she pushed up from the ground. Pain jarred her legs and radiated to the rest of her body.
“Time is running out,” Greta rasped, staggering to her feet. But the moment she straightened her petite frame, she clutched her stomach, bent over, and retched.
“What’s wrong?” She touched the maidservant’s arm. “Did you hurt yourself with the jump?”
Greta shrugged off her hand and spit into the grass but not before dribbling on herself. As a servant, her plain, colorless habit and wimple were not so finely woven as the habits worn by Katharina and the other nuns. But that was the only difference. They were all attired alike, their shorn hair was tucked securely out of sight, and their womanly curves were well concealed. Every bit of flesh that could be hidden was.
Only Greta’s pretty face distinguished her, except now it was twisted with pain. “I’m not hurt, my lady.” But the moment the words were out, she bent over and retched again.
“Something ails you.” Katharina cringed as her whisper echoed in the air around them. The first-floor windows of the common room in front of them were dark. Now that the nights were not so severely cold, she and the sisters had less need for the abbey’s only heated room.