Intercession for the woman of Selbitz.
The original was in the Luther House in Eisleben and was openly displayed there. Through much touching, it fell into pieces that have been lost. Printed in the Haifischen Theile, p. 418; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XXII, p. 573 and in Walch, vol. XXI, 460. In all these editions dated: "Montags nach Circumcis.", that is from January 2. From the original in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 97, no. 182; from it in De Wette, vol. V, p. 497 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 32.
To the illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Lord Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascanien and Lord of Bernburg, my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord. Sublime, highborn prince, gracious lord! Mrs. Selbitz and her son, Georgen von Selbitz, have kindly asked me to make this written intercession to E. F. G.. After E. F. G. had spent a thousand guilders in thalers and silver coins, the thaler at four and twenty Gl., and the silver coins at one [and] 3) twenty for one fl., with the promise that they should be presented again in the same kindness at the time of redemption; now, however, they are receiving the thaler, as it now stands, at five and twenty Gl, which I can well imagine that the F. F. G. did not mean to seek any disadvantage for the good women and their son, but the bailiffs are now doing the same everywhere, and want to make the lords rich with small benefits (where they are otherwise so pious and do not mean themselves), although it basically helps nothing, but rather as a break-off of the neighbor to the breaker.
3) Added by us. The florin had 21 groschen: the gold florin 22 groschen.
Letters from the year 1542. No. 2948. 2949.
Mart. Luther.
No. 2949.