Johann Burchard
Encyclopedia
Johann Burchard, also spelled Johannes Burchart (c.1450 - 1506) was an Alsatian
-born priest and chronicler during the Italian Renaissance
.
He was born at Niederhaslach
, now Bas-Rhin
, Alsace
, France
. Of humble origins, he was educated by the collegial chapter of St. Florent in Niederhaslach
and eventually became secretary to the Bishop of Strasbourg. Burchard was ordained a priest in 1476 and moved to Rome in 1481.
in 1481, he was appointed Master of Ceremonies to Pope Sixtus IV in 1483, having bought the office for 450 ducats. He held it until his death on 16 May 1506, successively acting as Ceremoniere to Innocent VIII (1484–1492), Alexander VI (1492–1503), Pius III (1503) and during the early years of Julius II. He was buried in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo
at the Flaminian Gate.
In Rome, Burchard joined the Confraternity of Santa Maria dell'Anima and quickly rose to become its provost. It was while he held this office that the decision was taken to rebuild the church of Santa Maria dell'Anima
for the Jubilee
of 1500. The church was built in the style of a Hallenkirche
that was typical for Northern Europe. Andrea Sansovino
was retained as architect by the confraternity. The facade was completed by Giuliano da Sangallo
.
Burchard accumulated an impressive array of ecclesiastical benefices in Alsace, including that of the provost of Moutier-Grandval (1475) and Dean of Basel (1501). He was promoted Bishop of Orte in 1503 by Pope Pius III. The early death of the Pope meant that Burchard could not be consecrated until his nomination had been confirmed by the new Pope, Julius II. K. Eubel's Hierarchia Catholica, Vol. III, p. 211 describes Burchard as having been a cleric of the Papal Chapel, an Abbreviator of Papal Letters and Dean of the Cathedral of Basel at the time of his promotion to the See of Orte.
Among the significant events organised by Burchard as Ceremoniere were: the visit of Don Federigo de Aragon to Rome (December 1493 to January 1494); the coronation of Alfonso II of Naples
(May 1494); the reception of Charles VIII of France
in Rome (November 1494 to February 1495); the Papal Embassy to the Emperor Maximilian
in Milan (July–November 1496); the Proclamation of the Jubilee (Christmas 1499); the visit of Alexander VI to Piombino (January–March 1502); and obsequies of Pope Alexander VI (August 1503). Burchard was also present at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Basilica of St. Peter on 18 April 1506. He records the orgy known as the Banquet of Chestnuts
held by Cesare Borgia
in the Papal Palace on October 30, 1501.
As Ceremoniere, he was responsible for the publication of a revised edition of the Liber Pontificalis
in 1485 and for the publication of a new edition of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum in 1488. Perhaps Burchard's most enduring publication was the Ordo Servandus per Sacerdotem in celebratione Missae, published in 1495. This book went through numerous editions before its substance eventually made its way into the Normae Generales of the Roman Missal
.
The Liber Notarum is still maintained by the papal Ceremoniere.
Burchard's residence, built in 1491, survives and can be seen at Via del Sudario 44, in Rome.
in the 2011 Showtime series The Borgias
.
Alsatian
Alsatian may refer to:* Alsatian, a person from the Alsace region of France or a speaker of the Alsatian language* Alsatian language, the language or dialect of the Alsace region of northeast France...
-born priest and chronicler during the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
.
He was born at Niederhaslach
Niederhaslach
Niederhaslach is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is noteworthy for its Gothic church.-References:*...
, now Bas-Rhin
Bas-Rhin
Bas-Rhin is a department of France. The name means "Lower Rhine". It is the more populous and densely populated of the two departments of the Alsace region, with 1,079,013 inhabitants in 2006.- History :...
, Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Of humble origins, he was educated by the collegial chapter of St. Florent in Niederhaslach
Niederhaslach Church
The Roman Catholic Parish church Saint John the Baptist , formerly Collegiate church Saint Florentius is the main church of the small city of Niederhaslach in Alsace...
and eventually became secretary to the Bishop of Strasbourg. Burchard was ordained a priest in 1476 and moved to Rome in 1481.
Roman career
Nominated Protonotary ApostolicProtonotary apostolic
In the Roman Catholic Church, protonotary apostolic is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of prelates in the Roman Curia or, outside of Rome, an honorary prelate on whom the pope has conferred this title and its special privileges.-History:In later antiquity there were in...
in 1481, he was appointed Master of Ceremonies to Pope Sixtus IV in 1483, having bought the office for 450 ducats. He held it until his death on 16 May 1506, successively acting as Ceremoniere to Innocent VIII (1484–1492), Alexander VI (1492–1503), Pius III (1503) and during the early years of Julius II. He was buried in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria del Popolo is an Augustinian church located in Rome, Italy.It stands to the north side of the Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous squares in the city. The Piazza is situated between the ancient Porta Flaminia and the park of the Pincio...
at the Flaminian Gate.
In Rome, Burchard joined the Confraternity of Santa Maria dell'Anima and quickly rose to become its provost. It was while he held this office that the decision was taken to rebuild the church of Santa Maria dell'Anima
Santa Maria dell'Anima
Santa Maria dell'Anima is a Roman Catholic church in central Rome, Italy, just west of the Piazza Navona and near the Santa Maria della Pace church. It was the national church of the Holy Roman Empire in Rome...
for the Jubilee
Jubilee (Christian)
The concept of the Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In the Biblical Book of Leviticus, a Jubilee year is mentioned to occur every fifty years, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be particularly...
of 1500. The church was built in the style of a Hallenkirche
Hall church
A hall church is a church with nave and side aisles of approximately equal height, often united under a single immense roof. The term was first coined in the mid-19th century by the pioneering German art historian Wilhelm Lübke....
that was typical for Northern Europe. Andrea Sansovino
Andrea Sansovino
Andrea dal Monte Sansovino or Andrea Contucci del Monte San Savino was an Italian sculptor active during the High Renaissance...
was retained as architect by the confraternity. The facade was completed by Giuliano da Sangallo
Giuliano da Sangallo
Giuliano da Sangallo was an Italian sculptor, architect and military engineer active during the Italian Renaissance.He was born in Florence. His father Francesco Giamberti was a woodworker and architect, much employed by Cosimo de Medici, and his brother Antonio da Sangallo the Elder and nephew...
.
Burchard accumulated an impressive array of ecclesiastical benefices in Alsace, including that of the provost of Moutier-Grandval (1475) and Dean of Basel (1501). He was promoted Bishop of Orte in 1503 by Pope Pius III. The early death of the Pope meant that Burchard could not be consecrated until his nomination had been confirmed by the new Pope, Julius II. K. Eubel's Hierarchia Catholica, Vol. III, p. 211 describes Burchard as having been a cleric of the Papal Chapel, an Abbreviator of Papal Letters and Dean of the Cathedral of Basel at the time of his promotion to the See of Orte.
Historical Importance
Burchard's importance derives from his Liber Notarum, a form of official record of the more significant papal ceremonies with which he was involved. The first critical edition of this work was published by E. Celani in 1906 as Johannis Burckardi Liber Notarum ab anno MCCCCLXXXIII usque ad annum MDVI. Celani's edition collated various earlier printed editions of the work, and a collection of uncertain notations, with Burchard's original manuscript, thereby establishing an important critical edition of this account of the papal court at the end of the fifteenth century.Among the significant events organised by Burchard as Ceremoniere were: the visit of Don Federigo de Aragon to Rome (December 1493 to January 1494); the coronation of Alfonso II of Naples
Alfonso II of Naples
Alfonso II of Naples , also called Alfonso II d'Aragon, was King of Naples from 25 January 1494 to 22 February 1495 with the title King of Naples and Jerusalem...
(May 1494); the reception of Charles VIII of France
Charles VIII of France
Charles VIII, called the Affable, , was King of France from 1483 to his death in 1498. Charles was a member of the House of Valois...
in Rome (November 1494 to February 1495); the Papal Embassy to the Emperor Maximilian
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
in Milan (July–November 1496); the Proclamation of the Jubilee (Christmas 1499); the visit of Alexander VI to Piombino (January–March 1502); and obsequies of Pope Alexander VI (August 1503). Burchard was also present at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Basilica of St. Peter on 18 April 1506. He records the orgy known as the Banquet of Chestnuts
Banquet of Chestnuts
The Banquet of Chestnuts, known more properly as the Ballet of Chestnuts, refers to a fête in Rome, and particularly to a supper held in the Papal Palace by Don Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI on October 30, 1501...
held by Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia , Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was the brother of Lucrezia Borgia; Giovanni Borgia , Duke of Gandia; and Gioffre Borgia , Prince of Squillace...
in the Papal Palace on October 30, 1501.
As Ceremoniere, he was responsible for the publication of a revised edition of the Liber Pontificalis
Liber Pontificalis
The Liber Pontificalis is a book of biographies of popes from Saint Peter until the 15th century. The original publication of the Liber Pontificalis stopped with Pope Adrian II or Pope Stephen V , but it was later supplemented in a different style until Pope Eugene IV and then Pope Pius II...
in 1485 and for the publication of a new edition of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum in 1488. Perhaps Burchard's most enduring publication was the Ordo Servandus per Sacerdotem in celebratione Missae, published in 1495. This book went through numerous editions before its substance eventually made its way into the Normae Generales of the Roman Missal
Roman Missal
The Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.-Situation before the Council of Trent:...
.
The Liber Notarum is still maintained by the papal Ceremoniere.
Burchard's residence, built in 1491, survives and can be seen at Via del Sudario 44, in Rome.
In popular culture
Johann Burchard is portrayed by Simon McBurneySimon McBurney
Simon Montagu McBurney, OBE is an English actor, writer and director. He is the founder and artistic director of Théâtre de Complicité in England, now called Complicite.-Early life:...
in the 2011 Showtime series The Borgias
The Borgias
The Borgias is a British television drama serial produced by the BBC in 1981, in association with the Second Network of the Italian RAI - TV ....
.