If you were born in 1480 in Germany, what would you have witnessed if you were to live for 80 years? This book is the fourth of a series of historical novels of very fine quality - two novels in every book - about the time between 1480 and 1560 in different parts of the world, giving a panoramic view of society and human life. After India, Italy, and England, we continue with Germany …
In Germany rises the majestic spirituality of Dr. Martin Luther. Life in the North of Europe is not as refined and leisurely as in the South. The somewhat rough, but very religious Germans are disappointed and angry with the Pope and the inappropriate and indulgent life-stile of the Papal Court. Nobles and peasants in Germany rise to protect Dr. Luther from the Holy Inquisition, the Pope and the Emperor. Where Savonarola failed, Dr. Luther is victorious. And the young Count of Regenstein, as narrator and friend of Luther, is able to escape from the easy, but purposeless life in Italy and find the way to a meaningful, real life in the North, and to his Heaven-gifted wife …
At the same time, Albert of Sturmfeder - a young knight with an old name, but without fortune or family – must find an honourable way to establish himself in life to be able to marry the lady of his heart. The only way open to him is that of the sword. In Swabia, the Swabian League is fighting the Duke Ulrich of Wurttemberg for his estates. If Albert chooses the losing side, he must perish in the battle or share the banishment of his prince. If a duke loses his dukedom, he loses everything, he must leave his home and family behind – where could he hide? And how should he come back, without an army, money, or even a horse?
