Katharina Luther (Born: von Bora) (1499 – 1552)

Katharina von Bora was born near Leipzig, Germany on January 29, 1499. The von in her name indicates an aristocratic family.  Her mother died during her infancy and in 1504 she was paced in a Benedictine convent for upbringing. She entered the convent in Nimbschen in 1509 with the intention of becoming a nun. In 1515 she took vows. It was at that time that she began to read some of the writings of the priest, theologian Martin Luther. (Luther was a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg. He posted his 95 theses in 1517.) Von Bora grew disenchanted with the convent and the Roman Church and wrote to Luther seeking help to flee. Luther arranged for von Bora and several other nuns to flee the convent in 1523 as the Reformation was gaining strength.

As a woman alone in the 16th century, few options were open for survival. Essentially one married or starved. Initial arrangements were made for her to be cared for by the family of the painter Lucas Cranach in Wittenberg until such time that a suitable husband might be identified. She met Dr. Luther in Wittenberg. Details of their early relationship are not available, but they did grow closer and in 1525 she married Martin Luther.

Despite the chaos of the developing Reformation, the couple led a happy life and seems to have developed a loving and comfortable relationship. Katharina was a hard working and practical woman who took charge of the extensive household and managed it quite efficiently as well as assisting her husband with his pastoral work. The couple would have six children of whom 4 survived to adulthood, Johannes, Martin, Paul and Margarete.

Martin Luther died in 1546. Katharina was alone once again. This time, however, the nobles who had supported the Reformation made arrangements for her support. She was forced to flee Wittenberg during the Schmalkadic War during which the buildings of the homestead were destroyed. Mrs. Luther returned however and made a life for herself once again until the plague broke out in Wittenberg causing her to leave once again. She suffered an accident during the evacuation and became gravely ill. She died in 1552.

Katharina von Bora wurde 1499 als Tochter eines verarmten Adligen geboren. 1504 besuchte sie die Klosterschule der Benediktinerinnen Brehna (bei Halle/S.) und trat 1508 dem Kloster Nimbschen (bei Grimma) bei. 1515 legte Katharina das Gelübde ab und wird somit zum frühestmöglichen Termin Nonne. 1523 flieht sie gemeinsame mit 11 weiteren Nonnen aus dem Kloster Nimbschen bei Grimma und wird im Hause Cranachs des Älteren in Wittenberg aufgenommen. Am 13. Juni 1525 heiratet Katharina von Bora Dr. Martin Luther. Katharina Luther ordnet den Haushalt, nutzt das auf dem Kloster liegende Braurecht, betreibt Viehzucht und pachtet mehrere Grundstücke. Katharina von Bora schenkte sechs Kindern das Leben, von denen jedoch zwei starben. Alle lebenden Nachkommen Luthers stammen aus dieser Linie. Katharina floh 1546 nach Dessau und später Magdeburg, um dem Krieg zu entgehen. Sie starb am 20. Dezember 1552 in Torgau, wohin sie vor der Pest in Wittenberg geflohen war. BF