Katharina Luther
Page 23
I am a mother. A joy such as I have never felt flows through my veins, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Never have I been so happy. No, more than happy, I am triumphant. My son lies in my arms, his perfect little nose and mouth and tiny hands, with nails already a little too long. I look into his eyes, a milky blue, and they already have something knowing about them. But when he cries his face screws up and he looks tragic, as if he knew all the misery of the world; I cradle him and put him to my breast as once Our Lady did to Jesus, and he sucks. I still his crying. My power is absolute.
Martin baptised him within an hour of his birth; we have called him Johannes, or Hans, after Martin’s father, and after mine too. Dr Luther is overjoyed. I have made him a father. He wanted a son and I have given him one.
My husband has achieved so much; he has instigated a Reformation, as he puts it, that will make the Pope’s ears ring and many hearts burst. But he can never, as I have done, bring a child into the light. He once called his September Bible his first-born. Now he has a real first-born, little Johannes Luther.
My book is complete; I will write no more now. My son lies swaddled in my arms. His lusty cries fill our bed-room. Surely the whole of Wittenberg must hear him! The church bells are ringing joyfully, is it because Martin Luther has a healthy son?
But in my heart two simple words ring out their own sweet refrain: Mother and Milk. Mutter und Milch.
Acknowledgements
I have to thank a great many people for their encouragement in not only researching and writing the book in the first place, but persuading me to follow through to publication in time for the 2017 Reformation Anniversary.
In particular I must mention the following: David Simpson, who read each chapter as it emerged and advised me on theological matters. My daughters Elly and Laura Clarke for their on-going support; my son-in-law Toby Fisher for suggesting where to inject more drama into the story. Three German friends, Marianne Ufer, Paul Kremmel and Sibby Ruschmeier for their feedback and cultural tips; Dick and Janet Lewis of the Anglican Lutheran Society. Celia Catchpole, for her advice about the publishing world; Ronald Blythe for his interest, and for writing the Foreword; Sister Angela Morris for her advice on life in a convent; Michael Hughes for his careful edit and suggestions; my publishers at Clink Street. And finally, all those friends who listened to me going on about the Reformation in Germany, and urged me to pursue publication when I was losing heart: Meriel Baker, Rosemary Morris, Sarah Crofton, Emily Jones, Kate Knowles, Charles and Sophie Campbell and others. Without them Katharina would never have come to print.
Copyright
Published by Clink Street Publishing 2016
Copyright © 2016
First edition.
The author asserts the moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior consent of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that with which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
ISBNs:
978-1-911110-61-3 paperback
978-1-911110-62-0 ebook