When Herzog Hedan asked Adelina to be his wife she refuses because to marry him would be unequally yoked. But Hedan threatens her saying “…I shall leave here with a trothed wife or there shall be great suffering on thy account!” Remembering the words of her savior (John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.) Adelina agrees on the condition that the Herzog continues to let her brothers and sisters in Christ worship the one true God.
Rather than cower or sulk, Adelina stands fast in her faith, loves Hedan and trusts the Lord, hoping that over time Hedan seeing her humbly submitted obedience and her faith in Christ will be reformed to the faith. (1 Peter 3:1-2)
Adelina is “Fortis En Arduis” which is our family motto. It means: Brave in Difficulty or Strength in Adversity. Even when tragedy strikes and and persecution persists worse than ever Adelina humbly continues in faith and worship as best she can under her oppressive mother-in-law.
One of my favorite parts is when Pillung (a heathen man servant in the house of the Herzog) swears falsely by his right arm. Later he, the Herzog and Haimerich (a Christian retainer in the service of the Herzog) are traveling back to the Wirtzburg in a wild storm when Pillung fears that Woden (one of false gods in which he believes) has sent a storm to find him and crush his arm.
Pillung lies on the ground thinking that he will be protected from “Woden’s” wrath but his arm is crushed. The next time Pillung is found in the story he is a christian. He says “I have learnt to serve the true God who found me in the forest and brought to light my falsehood.”
Two elements I like best about this book are that:
- Adelina was bold but virtuous, beautiful but humble, humble but still strong in her faith.
- The end is happy and perfect. All things worked together for good (Romans 8:28). It was not a fairy tale so the ending really was happy.
Fortis En Arduis!
Kaitlyn C., 13yo