The purchase of this manuscript reflects a concerted effort by the HAB to increase its holdings of manuscripts from women’s monasteries in northern Germany. This work will be permanently accessible to researchers and the public. Its acquisition supports the study of late medieval book culture and of the role of women’s monasteries in Lower Saxony by making available a source that is significant in terms of both its content and artistic value.
Professor Markus Hilgert, secretary-general of the Kulturstiftung der Länder, comments: ‘I am particularly pleased that the Medingen Easter prayer book is now held by the Herzog August Bibliothek, one of the world’s leading research centres for the cultural history of the Middle Ages and early modern period. This valuable cultural artefact will now be accessible to researchers in Lower Saxony within its regional historical context in addition to being on display for the public to enjoy. The Kulturstiftung der Länder was very happy to support the purchase of this manuscript.’
Dr Thela Wernstedt, president of the Klosterkammer Hannover: ‘Here at the Klosterkammer Hannover, our main task and responsibility is to preserve and make accessible the rich cultural heritage of Lower Saxon monasteries. This manuscript is an outstanding example. It documents the piety and intellectual life of women’s monasteries, which were once formative places of education in our region – and continue to be so today.’
Abbess Dr Kristin Püttmann, Medingen Abbey: ‘I am delighted that the HAB was able to acquire this particularly beautiful illuminated manuscript. The lovingly designed illuminations are a wonderful way to explore the creative thinking of the nuns of Medingen in the late Middle Ages.’
Professor Peter Burschel, director of the Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel: ‘With the Medingen Easter prayer book, the HAB has acquired a manuscript that raises the profile of its collection of prayer books and makes it even more interesting for researchers. The study of prayer books is an integral part of our “Religion and Emotions” research field, which examines inter-religious perspectives in addition to giving special attention to the materiality of religious emotions. Prayer books are an example of how engaging with objects can generate a spiritual aura.’
The Easter prayer book is an outstanding example of the books produced and embellished by the nuns of Medingen in the late 15th century. Creating these books shaped their religious practice and personal devotions. This work is representative of women’s religiosity in pre-Reformation times, for which the numerous, albeit widely dispersed, manuscripts from Medingen offer especially fruitful materials for research. Its unique iconographic characteristics as well as additions dating from after the Reformation reveal that it was in use for an extended period of time. The manuscript will now be permanently held in the region where it was created.
The small-format manuscript from the Cistercian abbey of Medingen contains prayers in Latin and Low German pertaining to the cycle of Easter celebrations, beginning with the Exsultet, a chant in praise of the Paschal candle. The book remained in use after the Reformation and received a new binding in the 16th century. It is lavishly illustrated with well-preserved illuminations in gouache and gold. The depictions artistically connect biblical scenes with the personal piety of the nuns. Both the manuscript and the binding are in good condition.
The newly acquired Medingen manuscript has been digitised as Cod. Guelf. 84 Noviss. 12° and can be viewed in the HAB manuscript portal: HAB – Manuscript Database – Manuscript 84-noviss-12f.
Image: Liber Precum / Easter prayer book, Medingen Abbey (1467–1479). The book is open at page 2v–3r, showing Easter Vigil texts commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The illumination at the bottom edge of the double page depicts this exodus – with Moses, assisted by an angel, parting the Red Sea with his staff – the Pharaoh and the Egyptians perishing in the waters and the triumphal song of the Israelites.
