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Exploring the Rebirth of a Chronicle: Why Robert the Monk's Historia Iherosolimitana Gained New Life in the Fifteenth Century - ADDENDUM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2024

VALENTIN PORTNYKH*
Affiliation:
Novosibirsk State University
*
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Abstract

Type
Addendum
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2024

The author makes the following additional points, which do not undermine the argument and conclusions, but nevertheless should be corrected.

On page 57 I provide a table with a hand analysis of the manuscript in question (Bibliothek der Erzabtei St Peter, Salzburg, b. IX. 28), where I state that documents relating to the struggle against the Ottoman Turks and the Hussites are all written by the same hand. This is also suggested in the most recent catalogue description made by Gerold Hayer. In fact, the hand of the formula of absolution for those involved in the struggle against the Hussites led by King George Podebrad, c. 1467 (126v), differs from surrounding texts (letters a and g and abbreviation for -r / -er). Then, on fos 127r–130r letters b, h, l, have loops unlike in preceding texts. We can therefore probably identify at least three similar, but different hands: 125r–126r, 126v, and 127r–130r. Even if the entries were made by the same person, they were not made simultaneously.

I also suggest that a voluminous note, with a list of people who took the cross in 1456 against the Ottomans attacking Belgrade, the end of which is placed on the top of fo. 126v before the Hussite-related text (see page 56 for details on these notes), was made by Georg Liebenknecht, abbot of Michaelbeuern, after all texts on fos 125–30 had been entered. However, the Hussite-related text is placed lower than the usual starting point for text columns in this part of the manuscript, and it may be that it was later than Abbot Georg's note and could even date to after his death in 1472. It could perhaps note participants in the crusade after the event.

Since Georg's note occupies the right column on fo. 126r, it is likely that it was entered after the preceding texts (125r–126r) which continue up to the left column on fo. 126r. The very end of Georg's note is on fo. 126v, which is less convenient than placing the whole entry on the same page. Given that there are some comments by Abbot Georg on 127rv which correspond to the text on this folio, texts on fos 127–130 were certainly entered before his death.

However, there is a certain possibility that Abbot Georg had made his note on 126r before the preceding texts were entered. There are some bookmarks in the manuscript which are placed on fos 26, 75, 84 and 126: in other words, they are at the beginning of every new text, with the exception of the section relating to the Ottoman/Hussite crusade; there is a bookmark at the page which carries Abbot Georg's note. This could mean that the bookmark was placed after Georg's note had been entered and when fo. 125 was still blank.

To sum up:

1. The text relating to the Hussites on fo. 126v could have been entered after 1472.

2. All the texts on fos 125–30, except the text on fo 126v, could have been written at any time between 1456 and 1472. This includes the note concerning those who took cross for Belgrade in 1456 (126rv). This note could have been entered directly after the events described.