Marriage probably extended Luther’s life for a number of years.
Previously he and his dog enjoyed an irregular sort of existence in the
Black Cloister. Dishes were covered with dust, the bed hadn’t been made
in over a year, his clothes were in disorder. Sometimes Luther forgot
his meals altogether and at other times stuffed himself.
The vigor with which his industrious wife established order can be
imagined by his reference to her as “my lord Kathie.” She was an
efficient housekeeper and thrifty manager of what little they possessed
at the outset. Neither had any money. Luther refused pay for his
writing, although the publishers grew rich, nor did he receive any tax
revenues from the cloister since he had laid aside his cowl.
Things improved when the elector gave Luther the cloister for a home,
and adjacent to it a vegetable garden with a small brew house where
Kathie prepared the family beverage. His small salary as professor was
augmented somewhat when they took in boarding students attending the
university.
The Luthers had six children. Two of them died in childhood, but
otherwise the family enjoyed a merry, wholesome life. The house was
always full of visitors—some of them more or less permanent—including
traveling dignitaries, numerous aunts and relatives, monks and nuns
seeking a permanent residence, and four orphaned children from among
their kinsfolk. Because it was large and suitable, the cloister
sometimes was used as a hospital, and it was not unusual for the
“family” to number as many as twenty-five. Guests who stayed for any
length of time were expected to take part in household duties,
participate in daily prayers, catechetical study, and family devotions.
Music, singing, chess, and outdoor bowling were forms of recreation.
Through Kathie’s economy, improvements were made in the Luther house. An
orchard, hop garden, and finally a farm were purchased.
When Luther worried about his children’s future he overcame it with
faith. A pious training is most important, he wrote. It is good to leave
an inheritance, but preparing children to manage wisely is more
important. We parents are fools if we don’t train them to fear God, to
control themselves, and to live honorably.
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