Rosa of Linden Castle || A Review

Rosa of Linden Castle was written by Cristoph von Schmid. It was copyrighted in 2000 by Lamplighter Publishing and can be found on Lamplighter Publisher’s website at lamplighterpublishing.net.

The story took place somewhere in the late Middle Ages. The book states that it occurred on the southern borders of Swabia, a country “famed for its blooming vales, its mighty mountain ranges, and its lofty glaciers...”

Upon the towering cliffs of one of these mountains sat Linden castle, home to a knight named Edelbert, who was rarely there due to the warlike state of affairs of the kingdom. Edelbert was a noble, brave knight, and he had a warm and benevolent heart. Edelbert had unusual approval from both the duke and the emperor due to his superior service and character. Kunerick was Edelbert’s arrogant, bitter enemy who had hated him since their youth because of the honor bestowed upon Edelbert by the duke and emperor, and their disapproval of Kunerick’s own character. Edelbert’s wife Matilda, like Edelbert, was of superior character, intelligent, virtuous, and esteemed and regarded by all around her. She made it her chief care to bring up their daughter and only child, Rosa. From the time Rosa was young, Matilda made it her aim to direct Rosa’s heart to God. She sought to teach her to love Him as her Heavenly Father, and come to know Christ as her divine Redeemer. Matilda’s words echoed this aim in her life, that, “Our whole life is to be devoted to this important work [preparation for eternity]. This is its principal design; for this purpose God has placed us in this world.” Rosa was a girl who, under her parents’ training, became loyal to God, her parents, and their teachings and instructions. She was selfless in her desire to serve and do right and to show love and honor to her parents.

Rosa was raised in Linden castle, where she was taught by her mother virtue, love, and selfless service. What made these lessons “peculiarly efficacious, was, that they were enforced by example” (page 16). Many opportunities passed their way for service in attending to the needs of another, and the shaping of character in Rosa. One such character-shaping lesson took place when a young Rosa, upon the visit of many influential families, was dressed in her finest dress, most becoming her station in life. Many compliments on her beauty were made, to which her mother made comment afterwards, “I was much grieved to hear the compliments the ladies and gentlemen paid to you. Could they perceive nothing for which to praise you but your beauty and the finery you had on, which you are now again laid aside!” She continued in her teaching by saying, “Oh, my child, if I could perceive nothing else in you, to deserve commendation, I would be the most miserable of parents. Dear Rosa, seek to possess such a disposition and such virtues as must ever command esteem. What are these fine things, compared to a well cultivated mind, a virtuous heart and a life of benevolence! These are the jewels with which we are to be adorned; let your adorning not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, but the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is, in the sight of God, of great price.” Rosa soaked in her mother’s teaching and sought to follow her example and please her.

Matilda and Rosa’s days thus passed, in serving the poor and in the growth in Rosa’s character, until one day, when Matilda fell ill. Edelbert was sent for, and soon after his arrival, Matilda died. With her dying breath, she urged her daughter to continue to seek after God and His way, and asked her to replace her as Edelbert’s caregiver. They were much grieved by Matilda’s passing, but life continued for Edelbert and Rosa, and Edelbert again had to go off to war.

One day Edelbert returned wounded in his arm, and Rosa cared for him to the best of her ability and with upmost loyalty in her mother’s place. By the time his troops were called off to war yet again, Edelbert could not join them, as his arm was not yet strong enough. This was much to his disappointment—as he greatly desired to join his troops in active service—but he mustered the bravest of his men and sent them off in the command of another knight. With the men of the still weak Edelbert away, Kunerick saw his opportunity of revenge. That very evening of the troops’ departure, he raided Linden castle and bound Edelbert, later carrying him off to Kunerick’s own castle to be thrown in his dungeon. Despite Rosa’s earnest pleas, Kunerick would neither free her wounded father, nor allow her to go with Edelbert to attend to his needs. On that fateful, dreary night, Rosa found herself quite vulnerable and homeless, not even being able to trust herself to anyone at Linden castle. She was thus forced to hike alone through the forest in search of her father’s trusted friend. There in the woods, weary and hungry Rosa became lost. Desperate wondering if she would ever get out, she turned to her faithful Heavenly Father. Will she ever see her father again, or find a way to free him? Will she remember her parents’ wise counsel, and seek to follow it? Can she ever forgive Kunerick, and even come to love him and his family?

There were four lessons in this book that I found most outstanding—the greater value of virtue than of riches and beauty, the art of serving under uncertainty and hardship, the striving to do right in order to honor God and earthly parents, and the ability to love your enemies. These are all lessons Rosa learns, and often through personal struggle.

I liked how the characters in this book would often speak to one another and encourage and lift one another up by speaking Scripture throughout their regular speech. Matilda spoke this way to Rosa in the above example as she was teaching her the value of virtue over beauty. When they were about to be separated, Edelbert also instructs Rosa in this manner: “Grieve not on my account; pray for me, and then cast your care upon the Lord, for he careth for us. I know He will not forsake us.”

I also liked that Rosa wasn’t portrayed as a perfect girl, neither in her youth, nor as she grew older. Nor was she without trials and temptations. But though she had struggles and uncertainties, she would always seek to honor her parents and go to her Heavenly Father in her hour of need. “When she had toiled from morning until night, and, after all her endeavors to please, was taunted and scolded by her mistress, she would retire to her chamber, weary and disheartened. Her only refuge was her Saviour, and her God; to Him she fled, and told her tale of woe, asking for grace, and seeking his direction. ‘I am willing to endure all,’ said she, ‘if only in the end I shall be able to see my father, and mitigate his sufferings, or release him from his prison.’” (page 73)

I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and I would highly recommend it to girls seeking a book with both exciting suspense as well as wholesome content!

Blessings and Love,

Georgie Grace