qoqa.de: Genealogical Web-Magazine - Luther

1

Georg v. Hirschfeld: The relations of Luther and his wife, Katharina of Bora, to the family v.Hirschfeld. In: Beiträge zur sächsischen Kirchengeschichte 1883 'Articles to Saxonian ecclesiastical history 1883', p. 83 ff. The numbering system for a better differentiation of individual persons developed by v.Hirschfeld (e.g. Catharina v. Bora D 10) is used here too. Recently fictitious or as fictitiously recognized persons are marked by italic writing. Cp. also Fritz Fischer/Eckart v. Stutterheim: To the origin of the Katharina v. Bora, wife of Martin Luther. In: Archiv für Familiengeschichtsforschung 'Archive for Genealogical Researches' 9 (2005), p. 242-271, and Jürgen Wagner: To the presumed origin of the Catharina v. Bora. In: Genealogie 54 (2005), p. 673-703; 55 (2006), p. 30-35 . Both essays are expected in the following to be familiar.

2

Albrecht Thoma: Katharina von Bora, Berlin 1900, p. 269.

3

As that >>manor to Hirschfeld<< is regarded in Hirschfeld >>the last parcel of land at the entrance to the Moritztal<<, whereas it is differentiated clearly from the >>larger manor (today's property of the family v.Posern)<< at the western exit of Hirschfeld. (cp.. Gerolf Fiedler: Articles to the history of the communes Deutschenbora, Elgersdorf and Mergenthal. H. 4, p.88 and 90). Location and plant however let appear doubtful that the designated farmstead could be more as a characteristical Saxonian farm (Robert Wuttke: Saxonian Folklore, Leipzig 1903. Repr. Frankfurt 1981, p. 419) .

4

v. Hirschfeld (like note 1), p. 98 und 99f.

5

Both attributions are in the meantime disproved and/or put into question; cp. Wagner (like note 1) p.673 ff.

6

cp. with consideration that in the following presented modification Wolfgang Liebehenschel: Der langsame Aufgang des Morgensterns von Wittenberg 'The slow arising of the morning star of Wittenberg'. Oschersleben 1999, p. 78.

7

Thoma (like note 2); Ernst Kroker: Katharina v. Bora. Berlin 1906

8

cp. for it Ernst Wezel: Katharina v. Bora's birthplace. In: Wissenschaftliche Beilage zur Leipziger Zeitung 'Scientific insert to the Leipziger Zeitung', volume 1883, nr. 71, therein also the full print of the documents of 1482 and 1505, that are mentioned again and again

9

Curt Vogel: Hans v. Bora, Martin Luthers Schwager 'Martin Luther's brother-in-law'. In: Alt-Zwickaus. Beilage zur Zwickauer Zeitung 'Article to the Zwickauer Zeitung', volume 1928, nr. 4.

10

The last reference to the work of v. Hirschfeldyou find as bare footnote in Luther's works, Weimar 1935, correspondence, volume 6, Nr. 1857 (note 7) with the remark, he would be >>trustless<<.

11

Liebehenschel, arising (like note 6).

12

Only in connection with the scarce statement >>the birthplace (of Catharina v.Bora) is the manor Hirschfeld<< Liebehenschel refers to v.Hirschfeld, arising (like note 6), p. 22, note 36

13

Oliver Dix: Herkunft der Luther-Gattin Katharina v. Bora ist geklärt 'The origin of Luther's wife Catharina v.Bora is clarified'. In: Familie und Geschichte 'Family and History' 7 (1998), p. 133; also in: Genealogie 47 (1998), p. 246-247.

14

cp. the different statements about the birthplace of Catharina v.Bora in: Familienblatt 'Family Pages' of the Lutherid Union (in the future: FB-L) Nr. 36/76, 2002 (p. 3: >>Hirschfeld 29.01.1499<< compared to Nr. 28/72, 1998 (p. 15: >>* 29.01.1499<< Lippendorf).

15

Liebehenschel, arising (like note6) p. 79.

16

Picture of this family from Liebehenschel, arising (like note 6), p. 52 and 56, after the original of 1556 in the church Deutschenbora; detailed description by Cornelius Gurlitt: Beschreibende Darstellung der älteren Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler in Sachsen 'Describing presentation of the older building and art monuments in Saxony'. H. 41: Amtshauptmannschaft 'destrict' Meißen-Land. Dresden 1916/23, p. 133 f., - In FB-L Nr. 36/76, 2002, p. 8, Liebehenschel restricts against it: >>Anna (von Schönberg), first married with Heinrich Melchior von Ossa (propably the later >von Mergenthal> respectively still later >von Haugwitz<).<< underlined in the original.

17

cp. Liebehenschel, arising (like note 6), p. 79. Although Liebehenschel disavows v. Hirschfeld in this respect, he points nevertheless to the alleged assumption of the name v. Mergenthal by Hans v.Bora (B 7) to Deutschenbora (P. 78). Determining for this was possibly an information from the family v.Haugwitz, it is improbable that a stirp Bora had named itself Mergenthal and had changed their coat of arms. Cp. Fiedler (like note 3), p. 94.

18

Torgauer Zeitung 'newspaper of Torgau', 10.9.2004, Gespräch am Sonntag 'Discussion at Sunday': >>The manor Klitzschen (near Torgau) has belonged to the chancellor of the elector, named H(ans) von Mergenthal, stepgrandfather of Catharina v. Bora.<<

19

cp. Fischer/v. Stutterheim (like note 1), p. 242, Wagner (like note 1), p. 670 ff.

20

So already Liebehenschel himself (like note 6), p. 25:>> The origin of the Anna von Haugwitz is not to clear up. In the lineage v.Haugwitz we could not determine an Anna of Haugwitz<<. Very clearly Fischer/v. Stutterheim (like note 1), p. 243: >>An Anna v. Haugwitz, daughter Jahns zu Hirschstein, remains a hypothesis<<; similarly also Wagner (like note 1), p. 692, note 141. - The probable coming off of the phantom Anna v.Haugwitz from the sound shift "una de Haugwitz - Anna von Haugwitz" and frequent confounding between "Haugwitz and Haubitz" Wezel had already represented (like note 8), p. 422 f., convincingly.

21

That in the following discussed novel was finished as per epilog in September 2005. It cannot consider therefore in December 2005 the published newer research results yet, relies however according to own data in the epilog among other things on the study of Liebehenschel, arising (like note 6).

22

Karin Jäckel. Die Frau des Reformators. Aus dem Leben der Katharina von Bora. Hamburg 2006
[en: The wife of the Reformator. From the life of the Katharina von Bora. Hamburg 2006]

23

Besides Thoma (like note 2), Kroker (like note 7), newly also Martin Treu: Katharina von Bora, Wittenberg 1995, last Hans-Christoph-Sens: Katharina Luther and Torgau. Torgau 2006.

24

Already numerous discrepancies to the geographical surrounding field in the novel communicate unfounded conceptions of the historical happening just like many other incorrect statements. In the describing epilog to the historical background and coming off of the novel (p. 600 ff.) you cannot connive at the serious failings, so amongst others: Indeed the authoress refuses Hirschfeld as birthplace of Catharina v.Bora, however she offers no seriously comprehensible source for her >> Klietzen ...close to Bitterfeld and Brehna<<, that doesn't exist in this kind. Meant is surely Klietzen nearby Köthen, that however is located already in the former Principality of Anhalt. - At least it is incomprehensible why in the describing epilog Klitzschen nearby Torgau is mentioned not even allusively. - The information, that the >>manor Hirschfeld belonging to the 'Leibgedinge' of the mother<< would be inherited, is faulty. (p. 605) -

{I couldn't find any translation for the German law expression 'Leibgedinge'. But I will try to explain it with my own words. In former days, if a noble lady married into a noble family, she has got the income from certain properties with immediate effect or for the day she would be a widow. These agreements were a component of the marriage contract negotiated before the wedding.}

- The ancestor list >>Minna Salzmann<< (p. 604) is, since 2002 as >>a traditional/taken over ancestor list, that you cannot apply as such unfortunately<<, put in question (Hans Erich Braune: Die Ahnen der Elisabeth v. Meseritz 'The ancestors of Elisabeth v.Meseritz'. In: Familie und Geschichte 11 'Family and History 11' [2002], S. 211). - For the information, Luther is become monk because of the death of his friend Alexius v. Schleinitz (p. 605), Karin Jäckel would have had to note the sources. Here at least the possibilty exists , the victim could be Luther's comrade in study Hieronymus Buntz from Windsheim too (Dietrich Emme: Martin Luther. Seine Jugend- und Studienzeit 'his early days and years of study' 1483-1505. Regensburg 1986, there also to the Alexius->>fiction at the beginning of the 18. Century <<). - The information, >>Katharina's brother Hans von Bora became on record with his fiefdom close to Lausigk << (p. 605) is nonproven and is contradictory to all knowledges about it.

25

For example there is attributed the documented historical facts of the chancellor and Landrentmeister Hans v.Mergenthal as well as the journey to Jerusalem 1461 of Hans v.Bora(F 4) to the old Hans v. Bora alias Hans v. Mergenthal the Old (B 7) (Jäckel [like note 22], p. 51.)

26

cp. Jäckel (like note 22), p. 256 >>marriage certificate << on 13.6.1523 with specification of the usually accepted dates of birth (cp. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 10.11. and 20.11.1999) and the actual parents of Luther as well as fictitious parents, a fictitious place of birth and the assumed date of birth of the Catharina v. Bora.

27

Jäckel (like note 22), p. 8.

28

Jäckel (like note 22), p. 13, following the well-known socage of 1482 of Hans v. Bora (F 2) on Lippendorf with >> village, farmsteads and manor to the Sale<< ?

29

Jäckel (like note 22), p. 19.

30

Jäckel (like note 22), p. 604, probably with reference to the inaccurate representation by Zedler, Universal-Lexikon, volume 20, p. 997:>> By the way this Hans v. Mergenthal, who was chancellor and Landrentmeister for a long time, and finally at the high age to Hirschfeld 1556 died, bequeathed Wolffen on Hirschfeld, Neukirchen and Deutschenbora, that he had inherited from Elisabeth v. Schleinitz.<<

31

cp. thereto Liebehenschel, arising (like note 6), p. 79, with the older children of the Jhan v. Haugwitz

32

>>After the most proven old historians of the Saxon countries the Plugk family was noted, usually in the first place, as one of the four main columns and dynasties of the Saxon upper nobility, therefore the family has written its name, in the conviction that its old aristocracy was well-known generally, usually without the noble "von". << (Ernst Heinrich Kneschke: Neues allgemeines Deutsches Adels-Lexikon 'New general German lexicon of nobility', volume 7. Leipzig 1867, p. 130).

33

>>One of the oldest and most distinguished Saxon dynasties, rich in descendants, which had become famous, and very respectable properties, that, as is usually assumed, came in the year 588 under the the name Belmont from Tuscany to Grisons (Switzerland) and from there the family now named Schönberg, the name was translated into German, has spread out in Hesse, Saxony and nearly completely Germany. << (Kneschke [like note32], volume 7, p. 282).

34

>>Old, already known in the 12. century Saxon noble family of Wendish origin, which has spread out from Saxony, where the family has possessed rich properties, in Silesia, like later from Silesia in Lusatia and in Bohemia and Moravia.<< (Kneschke [like note 32], volume 3. Leipzig 1861, p. 243).
1420 Jörg v.Haugwitz was the highest chancellor of the landgrave of Thuringia, 1438 Jürge v.Haugwitz capitular to Naumburg and Merseburg, also highest chancellor of the Elector Friedrich v.Sachsen 'of Saxony'; cp. Clemens v. Hausen: Vasallengeschlechter der Markgrafen von Meißen, Landgrafen von Thüringen und der Herzöge von Sachsen bis zum Beginn des 17. Jh 'Liege families of the margraves of Meißen, landgraves of Thuringia and the dukes of Saxony until to the beginning of the 17. century'. Berlin 1892. reprint 1962. p. 142 f

35

At Jäckel (like note 22), p. 35, actually >>imperial chancellor<<. - To be not more near lit up is the not-conclusive statement, if Jäckel (like note 22) presumes, that >>Katharina by her father Jan von Bora(sic!), ..., who once bought Lippendorf and possessed the manor to the Saale as fiefdom<< was related with >>Margarethe von der Saale, privily concubine<< of the landgrave of Hesse. Imprecise to this Liebehenschel in FB-L nr. 40/76, 2002, p. 9.

36

cp. Wolfgang Liebehenschel: Merkwürdige Personalverbindungen der Ehefrau Martin Luthers, Katharina v. Bora, zum Heiligen Grab in Görlitz 'Remarkable connections by persons concerning the wife of Martin Luther, Katharina v.Bora, to the Holy Grave in Görlitz'. In: FB-L nr. 40/78 (2004) p. 13

37

Melanchthon, cited amongst others in FB-L nr. 26/71, 1997 p. 11, cp. also: Album Academiae Vitebergensis, Jüngere Reihe 'recent series'. T. 1. Magdeburg 1934, p. 338 im Semesterbericht zum Sommersemester 'in the term report to the summer semester' 1629: >>(Martinus Luther) decessit autem anno MDXLVI ... relicta coniuge vidua Catharina ex nobili familia Misnica de Borr.<<

38

From past assumptions deviating recently the possibility seems to be conceivable that Jhan v. Bora (1505) and Hans v. Bora (1482) could not be identical, cp. Fischer/v. Stutterheim (like note 1).

39

cp. Wagner (like note 1), p. 701, also the same 2006, p. 34

40

Eckart v. Stutterheim: Zur Herkunft der v. Mergenthal 'To the origin of the v.Mergenthal'. In: Genealogie 32 (1983), p. 433 ff. with supplement in Genealogie 33 (1984), p. 197 ff., Fiedler follows him (like note 3), p. 91 - 98.

41

Antecessor was, mentioned by Liebehenschel, Georg v.Haugwitz, arising (like note 1), p. 79

42

Document from 18.7.1423:>> dy gestrengen Hannus und Heinrich, Gebrüdere von dem Dutschen Bor, zu Neukirch gesessen 'the chaste Hannus and Heinrich, brothers of Deutschenbora, seated to Neukirch' <<, cp. Codex diplomaticus Saxoniae (CDS) II 2 nr. 909 = Traugott Märker: Das Burggrafenthum Meißen 'The dominion of the burgraves of Meißen'. Leipzig 1842, p. 204 = Ernst Wezel: Das Adelsgeschlecht derer von Bora 'The dynasty of the v.Bora'. Berlin 1897, U 56, cp. CDS II 2 nr. 455. - Fischer/v. Stutterheim (like note 1), p. 256, nr. 79, still mention Hanns von Bora 1425 as owner of Deutschenbora, but they note no prime source.

43

Sächsisches HStA 'saxon main archive' Dresden, Cop. 35, fol. 114 after Fischer/v. Stutterheim ( like note 1), p. 258 Fiedler (like note 3) informs p. 114 refering the same Copial-source, on 25.10.1435 the brothers Hans and Georg v.Waldow would have been feoffed together with some other lieges also with Deutschenbora and Gertitz.

44

Fischer/v. Stutterheim (like note 3), p. 259 after v. Mansberg, Erbarmanschaft Wettinischer Lande 'the law expression "Erbarmanschaft" = Ehrbarmannschaft = the righteous, respectable people, here of the Wettin countries', volume 2, p. 361.

45

cp. Fiedler (like note3), p. 114 to a document not specified in more detail in the Sächsischen Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden 'Saxon Main-State-Archive Dresden' from 14.1.1483

46

cp. thereto : v. Stutterheim in Genealogie 32 (1983), p. 433; cp. Graf Eberhard Haugwitz: Geschichte der Familie v. Haugwitz 'History of the family v.Haugwitz'. volume 2: Regesten 'context of content of documents'. Leipzig 1910, p. 92, Nr. 33: Dresden 30.11.1491: Schied zwischen Jhan von Haugwitz und Hansen von Mergenthal und seinen Geschwistern 'distribution of the estates between Jhan von Haugwitz and Hansen von Mergenthal and his siblings', ... insbesondere die lehensgüter Hirßfeld und Tewschenboher betreffend 'particularly concerning the fiefdoms Hirschfeld and Deutschenbora', so >>er durch ein Kauf ... von Jorgen von Reinsberg, seinem Schweher, an sich gebracht 'he has acquired by purchase ... from Jorgen von Reinsberg, his brother-in-law'.<<

47

cp. Fiedler (like note 3), p. 114 f.

48

v. Hirschfeld (like note1) p. 95

49

In this way at Liebehenschel, arising (like note6) p. 78.

50

I have to thank especially Mr. Wolfgang Trogus, Immenstaad, for his helpful tips and assistance.