Bora (or Bohra, or Bohren), Catharina Von

Bora (Or Bohra, Or Bohren), Catharina Von, the wife of Luther, was born at Loeben, Saxony, Jan. 29, 1499; died Dec. 20,1552. While still quite young, she was placed in the convent of Nimptschen, where she became deeply interested in the writings of Luther. She asked the aid of Luther in liberating herself and eight of her friends from the convent, and at the request of Luther, Leonhard Kopp aided their escape in the night of April 4, 1523. Luther wrote to the parents of the nuns to take them back, and, when this was refused, he provided for them otherwise. Catharine found a home with the burgomaster of Reichenbach, and on June 13, 1525, she married Luther. The writings of Luther are a, conclusive proof that the marriage was a very happy one. After the death of Luther, Catharine received support from the elector John Frederick of Saxony and Christian II, king of Denmark. See Walch, Geschichte der Cath. von B. (2 vols. Halle, 1752-54); Beste, Gesch. Cath. van B. (Halle, 1843); Hoefer, Nouv. Biographie Generale, v, 673.