Details
THE MIRACLES OF SAINT HILDEGARD, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM
[Southern Germany, Kempten, second quarter of the 15th century]
166x115mm, 65 leaves including original 2 blank leaves at the beginning and 3 at end (lacking 5 leaves; after ff 31,36,38,43,49). Collation: 1-710 (lacking 4/2.9, 4/7, 5/4, 5/10), with catchwords, 19 lines, justification 105x66mm, written in dark brown ink in a very fine rounded italianate gothic bookhand, 28 illuminated three-line initials, blue on gold ground with pen flourishing, 9 LARGE HISTORIATED INITIALS (8-10 line) with half or three-quarter borders of garlands of coloured flowers and fruit, 27 FULL PAGE MINIATURES, (some water damage, causing some smudging of 6 miniatures, 3 severely; lower blank margin cut away from first miniature; 3 leaves seem to have been detached and re-inserted) Generally in very good condition. Early 16th century South-German blindstamped calf over wooden boards (spine very worn, clasps lacking)
PROVENANCE:
(1) Written and illuminated possibly at, and certainly for, the monastery of Kempten in Bavaria, as shown in the first three miniatures, for Pilgrim von Werdenau, prince abbot of the monastery (1434-1451). His arms: argent, 3 roundels or on a bend sable, appear on ff 3,4 and 5. (2) Ownership inscription of the convent of St. Joseph in Innsbruck, dated 1656. (3) Baron Hornstein-Grieningen, of Würtemberg, with his bookplate and a pencilled note by the next owner that he bought the manuscript from him in 1862. 'Erkauft 1862'. (4) Leo Olschki, bookseller of Florence, his private collection. Sold Geneva, Kundig, auction 23 June 1948, lot 13.
It is strange that this manuscript, which must have been one of the great treasures of Kempten, should have left the monastery before the dissolution in 1802.
TEXT:
A description of thirty miracles performed at Kempten by St.Hildegard, born in Swabia in 1757, died at Diedenhofen in 783. She married the Emperor Charles the Great ( Charlemagne) in 771, after he repudiated his first wife Desiderata, and they had three sons, Charles, Pippin and Louis. The first two died in their youth and Louis succeeded as Emperor Louis I or the Pious, who granted the monastery royal immunity in 821. He appears in almost every miniature in this manuscript together with Hildegard. She is said to have been the founder of the abbey of Kempten in 773, when she presented the abbey with the relics of Ss. Gordianus and Epimachus. Her body was brought to Kempten and elevated in 963 and greatly revered throughout the middle ages. Her relics disappeared at the dissolution of the monastery in 1802
The Benedictine monastery of Kempten in Southwest Bavaria, south of Augsburg, was immensely wealthy and was until 1382 subject to the sovereignty of the archbishop of Augsburg. From 1382 it belonged to the diocese of Constance, until it became sovereign and subject only to the Pope in 1483 and the abbots became princes of the Holy Roman Empire. The manuscript was commissioned by Pilgrim von Werdenau, during his reign as sovereign abbot, 1443-1451, probably to celebrate a grant of privileges, land and hunting rights by the emperor Frederick III. [Cf.Gasp.Bruschius, Chronologia Monasteriorum Germaniae Illustrium, Nuremberg 1682, pp 89ff].
The text is a remarkable and highly unusual cycle of descriptions of miracles connected with the relics of St.Hildegard, reminiscent of the legends of St.Geneviève. We have been unable to trace any other copy in the literature. Preceding the text are three miniatures illustrating the foundation of the monastery with its armorials. The text comprises a short history of the monastery (ff 6-16a), from the first grants of Charlemagne to Louis the Pious, followed by a description of the thirty miracles, each beginning 'signum' I-XXX. (ff 16v-62)
We are most grateful to Dr.R.Heydenreuter, of the Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns, for the help he was able to give in identifying the abbot. He has also informed us that a later abbot of Kempten bore the identical coat-of-arms. He was Johannes von Werdenau, abbot 1463-81, who wrote a life of Saint Hildegard in 1472. This was published from a manuscript then in the monastery of Blaubeuern (Württemberg) in Acta Sanctorum, April vol.III (1738), pp 793-802. He introduces his life of the saint explaining that it is based on an earlier book compiled by one of his predecessors. On palaeographic evidence we believe that the present manuscript was commissioned by the earlier abbot.
ILLUMINATION:
The manuscript has a remarkable cycle of illumination of very high quality. It seems likely that it was made either in a scriptorium at the monastery of Kempten, or possibly at Augsburg.
The subjects of the 27 full-page miniatures are:
folio 3. Louis the Pious and Hildegard enthroned, the abbot of Kempten below, within an architectural border containing 16 various armorial shields the abbot holding a scroll that reads 'Imperator invictissime tenete iura mea inconfracte Imperatrix magnificentissima conservate monasterii mei Privilegia sine lesura' (very smudged; lower blank margin cut away)
folio 4. Four armorials: Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg, in the centre the arms of Kempten, at one side the abbot's mitre, at the other the abbot's armorial. On gold-patterned light blue ground
folio 5. The Pope and Charlemagne enthroned under a blue and green canopy. The Emperor holding an edict scroll with seal. Below Hildegard wearing a crown and Louis the Pious, both pointing to the building of the abbey between them. At foot the abbot holding a scroll 'Hyltigardis sancta et campidonensis cenobii fundatrix, sis michi et monasterio meo auxiliatrix'
folio 16v. Two men holding Wernher the deacon, who is delivered from evil spirits, in front of Hildegard's coffin. A woman praying at the side, Hildegard and Louis crowned, standing at back. (Somewhat smudged) folio 17v. Adelaide, servant of Uldricus de Chinbor, is delivered from evil spirits, two men holding her, standing in front of the relics. Two women praying, Hildegard and Louis crowned, blessing them
folio 19v. Henricus, son of Conrad Minutor, being miraculously healed from a long illness. He is lying in bed in a chamber, the abbot at his side blessing him.
folio 22v. A pilgrim woman standing before the relics, making oracular predictions, the abbot at her side
folio 26v. The miraculous cure of a child from Richolstreit near Kempten. She is sitting below the golden casket, a woman (her mother?) praying. Hildegard and Louis crowned, standing behind them
folio 28v. A new-born child having been born blind, has its eyes opened and is able to see. The mother holding him in her arms before the golden casket. Hildegard and Louis standing crowned behind her
folio 29v. A blind woman praying before the relics, Hildegard and Louis standing behind, are blessing her, and she is able to see again (very slight smudge affecting the gothic architecture)
folio 30v. The miraculous cure of a blind young girl from Cehmanshusen, whose eyes are opened. She is standing before the casket, accompanied by a woman (her mother?), Hildegard, standing next to Louis, has put her hands on the girl's head (slightly smudged)
folio 33v. Agnes de Dururwanc, who was blind, regains her sight. She demonstrates pointing at her eyes in front of the casket, to three persons amazed at the miracle (slightly smudged affecting one face)
folio 34v. The blind Eberhardus Tridentinus (i.e. Eberhard of Trient) praying before the relics, is blessed by Hildegard, who is standing with Louis, facing him, and he can see again
folio 38v. A miller of Gonzeburch, who has had a long debilitating illness, is cured. He is standing before the golden casket, Hildegard and Louis beside him (very smudged)
folio 39v. Bertholdus from the town of Bertrichsriet, is cured of his paralysis. He is lying in bed, through a window one can see Hildegard blessing, Louis next to her
folio 41v. Conradus the soldier is cured from lameness. He is praying, next to a woman before the relics, Hildegard and Louis crowned at back. folio 42v. Rupert Phullundorf, a soldier, has his son cured from lameness. He stands before the relics holding him in his arms. Hildegard and Louis at back
folio 44v. The exorcising of the woman from Ermangen. She is plagued by a black devil, who attacks her with a club, she is running toward the relics, where two women are praying, being blessed by Hildegard and Louis
folio 47v. The conversion of Conrad Faber, an infidel and sinful blacksmith. He is standing in his workshop somewhat dumbfounded, another labourer working behind him
folio 49v. The healing of a woman from Borgoe, whose stomach is distended with distemper. She is lying in bed, another woman standing by the side of the bed, with Hildegard and Louis
folio 50v. The healing of Conradus de Thuringen, who has a tumour in his stomach. He is praying before the relics, two men standing at his side, Hildegard and Louis pointing at him
folio 52v. The healing of a girl from Borgoe, whose limbs have been paralyzed. She is sitting in a chair before the golden casket, accompanied by two women. Hildegard and Louis blessing her
folio 53v. The healing of a woman from Gerwigshoven, whose hands have been paralyzed. She is kneeling before the golden casket, two women praying beside her, Hildegard and Louis blessing her
folio 54v. A woman from the town of Marmsieren is healed of her paralysis, after having been to visit the relics. She is shown leaving the church, a horse and cart waiting for her outside. On a hill, just at the back, is the Kempten monastery building
folio 55v. The healing of Bertoldus, son of de Loppenhausen, who suffers great pain, as his back and legs are paralyzed. He is praying before the relics accompanied by two women, Hildegard and Louis blessing him
folio 57v. Werner, the small son of Walter and Adelaide in the town of Innimmriet, has fallen into water and drowned, but was revived through the intervention of Hildegard. The miniature shows the child drowning, two women throwing up their hands in horror, Hildegard and Louis looking out of a window above. (very smudged)
folio 59v. Mangold, the young son of a soldier, has fallen into a well and is rescued by his father, the family standing beside the well. He is revived through the intervention of St.Hildegard, who is standing with Louis at the back
The subjects of the 9 large historiated initials are:
folio 6. Initial 'S' (9 lines). Hildegard with Louis the Pious, half-length above, three naked children (the sons of Charlemagne?) below. Initial blue on gold ground
folio 9. Initial 'K' (9 lines). Charlemagne standing full-length, initial green on gold ground
folio 9v. Initial 'P'. (10 lines) Charlemagne blessing his son, at his side two abbots and a cardinal. Initial blue on gold ground
folio 10. Initial 'F'. (8 lines) Charlemagne crowning Louis, before an altar. Initial pink on gold ground
folio 11v. Initial 'P'. (10 lines) The Emperor Louis the Pious, holding a grant in one hand and distributing alms and gold to the faithful
folio 14. Initial 'C' (10 lines) The abbot consecrating the coffin with the relics of St.Hildegard. Initial blue on gold ground
[Southern Germany, Kempten, second quarter of the 15th century]
166x115mm, 65 leaves including original 2 blank leaves at the beginning and 3 at end (lacking 5 leaves; after ff 31,36,38,43,49). Collation: 1-710 (lacking 4/2.9, 4/7, 5/4, 5/10), with catchwords, 19 lines, justification 105x66mm, written in dark brown ink in a very fine rounded italianate gothic bookhand, 28 illuminated three-line initials, blue on gold ground with pen flourishing, 9 LARGE HISTORIATED INITIALS (8-10 line) with half or three-quarter borders of garlands of coloured flowers and fruit, 27 FULL PAGE MINIATURES, (some water damage, causing some smudging of 6 miniatures, 3 severely; lower blank margin cut away from first miniature; 3 leaves seem to have been detached and re-inserted) Generally in very good condition. Early 16th century South-German blindstamped calf over wooden boards (spine very worn, clasps lacking)
PROVENANCE:
(1) Written and illuminated possibly at, and certainly for, the monastery of Kempten in Bavaria, as shown in the first three miniatures, for Pilgrim von Werdenau, prince abbot of the monastery (1434-1451). His arms: argent, 3 roundels or on a bend sable, appear on ff 3,4 and 5. (2) Ownership inscription of the convent of St. Joseph in Innsbruck, dated 1656. (3) Baron Hornstein-Grieningen, of Würtemberg, with his bookplate and a pencilled note by the next owner that he bought the manuscript from him in 1862. 'Erkauft 1862'. (4) Leo Olschki, bookseller of Florence, his private collection. Sold Geneva, Kundig, auction 23 June 1948, lot 13.
It is strange that this manuscript, which must have been one of the great treasures of Kempten, should have left the monastery before the dissolution in 1802.
TEXT:
A description of thirty miracles performed at Kempten by St.Hildegard, born in Swabia in 1757, died at Diedenhofen in 783. She married the Emperor Charles the Great ( Charlemagne) in 771, after he repudiated his first wife Desiderata, and they had three sons, Charles, Pippin and Louis. The first two died in their youth and Louis succeeded as Emperor Louis I or the Pious, who granted the monastery royal immunity in 821. He appears in almost every miniature in this manuscript together with Hildegard. She is said to have been the founder of the abbey of Kempten in 773, when she presented the abbey with the relics of Ss. Gordianus and Epimachus. Her body was brought to Kempten and elevated in 963 and greatly revered throughout the middle ages. Her relics disappeared at the dissolution of the monastery in 1802
The Benedictine monastery of Kempten in Southwest Bavaria, south of Augsburg, was immensely wealthy and was until 1382 subject to the sovereignty of the archbishop of Augsburg. From 1382 it belonged to the diocese of Constance, until it became sovereign and subject only to the Pope in 1483 and the abbots became princes of the Holy Roman Empire. The manuscript was commissioned by Pilgrim von Werdenau, during his reign as sovereign abbot, 1443-1451, probably to celebrate a grant of privileges, land and hunting rights by the emperor Frederick III. [Cf.Gasp.Bruschius, Chronologia Monasteriorum Germaniae Illustrium, Nuremberg 1682, pp 89ff].
The text is a remarkable and highly unusual cycle of descriptions of miracles connected with the relics of St.Hildegard, reminiscent of the legends of St.Geneviève. We have been unable to trace any other copy in the literature. Preceding the text are three miniatures illustrating the foundation of the monastery with its armorials. The text comprises a short history of the monastery (ff 6-16a), from the first grants of Charlemagne to Louis the Pious, followed by a description of the thirty miracles, each beginning 'signum' I-XXX. (ff 16v-62)
We are most grateful to Dr.R.Heydenreuter, of the Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns, for the help he was able to give in identifying the abbot. He has also informed us that a later abbot of Kempten bore the identical coat-of-arms. He was Johannes von Werdenau, abbot 1463-81, who wrote a life of Saint Hildegard in 1472. This was published from a manuscript then in the monastery of Blaubeuern (Württemberg) in Acta Sanctorum, April vol.III (1738), pp 793-802. He introduces his life of the saint explaining that it is based on an earlier book compiled by one of his predecessors. On palaeographic evidence we believe that the present manuscript was commissioned by the earlier abbot.
ILLUMINATION:
The manuscript has a remarkable cycle of illumination of very high quality. It seems likely that it was made either in a scriptorium at the monastery of Kempten, or possibly at Augsburg.
The subjects of the 27 full-page miniatures are:
folio 3. Louis the Pious and Hildegard enthroned, the abbot of Kempten below, within an architectural border containing 16 various armorial shields the abbot holding a scroll that reads 'Imperator invictissime tenete iura mea inconfracte Imperatrix magnificentissima conservate monasterii mei Privilegia sine lesura' (very smudged; lower blank margin cut away)
folio 4. Four armorials: Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg, in the centre the arms of Kempten, at one side the abbot's mitre, at the other the abbot's armorial. On gold-patterned light blue ground
folio 5. The Pope and Charlemagne enthroned under a blue and green canopy. The Emperor holding an edict scroll with seal. Below Hildegard wearing a crown and Louis the Pious, both pointing to the building of the abbey between them. At foot the abbot holding a scroll 'Hyltigardis sancta et campidonensis cenobii fundatrix, sis michi et monasterio meo auxiliatrix'
folio 16v. Two men holding Wernher the deacon, who is delivered from evil spirits, in front of Hildegard's coffin. A woman praying at the side, Hildegard and Louis crowned, standing at back. (Somewhat smudged) folio 17v. Adelaide, servant of Uldricus de Chinbor, is delivered from evil spirits, two men holding her, standing in front of the relics. Two women praying, Hildegard and Louis crowned, blessing them
folio 19v. Henricus, son of Conrad Minutor, being miraculously healed from a long illness. He is lying in bed in a chamber, the abbot at his side blessing him.
folio 22v. A pilgrim woman standing before the relics, making oracular predictions, the abbot at her side
folio 26v. The miraculous cure of a child from Richolstreit near Kempten. She is sitting below the golden casket, a woman (her mother?) praying. Hildegard and Louis crowned, standing behind them
folio 28v. A new-born child having been born blind, has its eyes opened and is able to see. The mother holding him in her arms before the golden casket. Hildegard and Louis standing crowned behind her
folio 29v. A blind woman praying before the relics, Hildegard and Louis standing behind, are blessing her, and she is able to see again (very slight smudge affecting the gothic architecture)
folio 30v. The miraculous cure of a blind young girl from Cehmanshusen, whose eyes are opened. She is standing before the casket, accompanied by a woman (her mother?), Hildegard, standing next to Louis, has put her hands on the girl's head (slightly smudged)
folio 33v. Agnes de Dururwanc, who was blind, regains her sight. She demonstrates pointing at her eyes in front of the casket, to three persons amazed at the miracle (slightly smudged affecting one face)
folio 34v. The blind Eberhardus Tridentinus (i.e. Eberhard of Trient) praying before the relics, is blessed by Hildegard, who is standing with Louis, facing him, and he can see again
folio 38v. A miller of Gonzeburch, who has had a long debilitating illness, is cured. He is standing before the golden casket, Hildegard and Louis beside him (very smudged)
folio 39v. Bertholdus from the town of Bertrichsriet, is cured of his paralysis. He is lying in bed, through a window one can see Hildegard blessing, Louis next to her
folio 41v. Conradus the soldier is cured from lameness. He is praying, next to a woman before the relics, Hildegard and Louis crowned at back. folio 42v. Rupert Phullundorf, a soldier, has his son cured from lameness. He stands before the relics holding him in his arms. Hildegard and Louis at back
folio 44v. The exorcising of the woman from Ermangen. She is plagued by a black devil, who attacks her with a club, she is running toward the relics, where two women are praying, being blessed by Hildegard and Louis
folio 47v. The conversion of Conrad Faber, an infidel and sinful blacksmith. He is standing in his workshop somewhat dumbfounded, another labourer working behind him
folio 49v. The healing of a woman from Borgoe, whose stomach is distended with distemper. She is lying in bed, another woman standing by the side of the bed, with Hildegard and Louis
folio 50v. The healing of Conradus de Thuringen, who has a tumour in his stomach. He is praying before the relics, two men standing at his side, Hildegard and Louis pointing at him
folio 52v. The healing of a girl from Borgoe, whose limbs have been paralyzed. She is sitting in a chair before the golden casket, accompanied by two women. Hildegard and Louis blessing her
folio 53v. The healing of a woman from Gerwigshoven, whose hands have been paralyzed. She is kneeling before the golden casket, two women praying beside her, Hildegard and Louis blessing her
folio 54v. A woman from the town of Marmsieren is healed of her paralysis, after having been to visit the relics. She is shown leaving the church, a horse and cart waiting for her outside. On a hill, just at the back, is the Kempten monastery building
folio 55v. The healing of Bertoldus, son of de Loppenhausen, who suffers great pain, as his back and legs are paralyzed. He is praying before the relics accompanied by two women, Hildegard and Louis blessing him
folio 57v. Werner, the small son of Walter and Adelaide in the town of Innimmriet, has fallen into water and drowned, but was revived through the intervention of Hildegard. The miniature shows the child drowning, two women throwing up their hands in horror, Hildegard and Louis looking out of a window above. (very smudged)
folio 59v. Mangold, the young son of a soldier, has fallen into a well and is rescued by his father, the family standing beside the well. He is revived through the intervention of St.Hildegard, who is standing with Louis at the back
The subjects of the 9 large historiated initials are:
folio 6. Initial 'S' (9 lines). Hildegard with Louis the Pious, half-length above, three naked children (the sons of Charlemagne?) below. Initial blue on gold ground
folio 9. Initial 'K' (9 lines). Charlemagne standing full-length, initial green on gold ground
folio 9v. Initial 'P'. (10 lines) Charlemagne blessing his son, at his side two abbots and a cardinal. Initial blue on gold ground
folio 10. Initial 'F'. (8 lines) Charlemagne crowning Louis, before an altar. Initial pink on gold ground
folio 11v. Initial 'P'. (10 lines) The Emperor Louis the Pious, holding a grant in one hand and distributing alms and gold to the faithful
folio 14. Initial 'C' (10 lines) The abbot consecrating the coffin with the relics of St.Hildegard. Initial blue on gold ground