Matthias Döring
Encyclopedia
Matthias Döring was a German Franciscan
historian and theologian. He was born and died at Kyritz
, Brandenburg
.
, was graduated (1424) at Erfurt
as doctor of theology, and for some years taught theology and Biblical exegesis. In 1427 he was elected provincial of his order for Saxony.
In the disputes between the Conventuals and Observantines he took an active part. In 1443 at Berne
the Conventuals elected him minister-general. This position he held for six years, receiving approbation from the General Council of Basle. In this council he had been prominent since 1432 as a reformer, and an adherent of the supremacy of a general council over the pope.
He was sent by it to Denmark
, to win over the king and the people, and assisted in the deposition (1439) of Pope Eugene IV
and the election of the antipope Felix V
. Excommunicated by the Archbishop of Magdeburg he appealed to Rome. In 1461 he resigned his office and spent the last years of his life in literary work at the convent of Kyritz.
of Marsilius of Padua
(printed in Goldast, Monarchia, I, 557 sqq.).
Other works attributed to Döring are Defensorium postillae Nicolai Lyrani, against the Spanish bishop, Paul of Burgos
, since 1481 frequently printed with the Postillae; Liber perplexorum Ecclesiae (lost); continuation (1420 to 1464) of the Chronicle of Dietrich Engelhus. He also wrote on the Donation of Constantine
and (1444) on the relics of the Precious Blood of Wilsnack.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
historian and theologian. He was born and died at Kyritz
Kyritz
Kyritz is a town in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, in Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated 28 km west of Neuruppin and 28 km southeast of Pritzwalk.There are 9,900 inhabitants .-Overview:...
, Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
.
Life
He joined the Friars Minor in his native place, studied at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, was graduated (1424) at Erfurt
Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital city of Thuringia and the main city nearest to the geographical centre of Germany, located 100 km SW of Leipzig, 150 km N of Nuremberg and 180 km SE of Hannover. Erfurt Airport can be reached by plane via Munich. It lies in the southern part of the Thuringian...
as doctor of theology, and for some years taught theology and Biblical exegesis. In 1427 he was elected provincial of his order for Saxony.
In the disputes between the Conventuals and Observantines he took an active part. In 1443 at Berne
Berne
The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt of Switzerland, and, with a population of , the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000...
the Conventuals elected him minister-general. This position he held for six years, receiving approbation from the General Council of Basle. In this council he had been prominent since 1432 as a reformer, and an adherent of the supremacy of a general council over the pope.
He was sent by it to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, to win over the king and the people, and assisted in the deposition (1439) of Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
and the election of the antipope Felix V
Antipope Felix V
-External links:*...
. Excommunicated by the Archbishop of Magdeburg he appealed to Rome. In 1461 he resigned his office and spent the last years of his life in literary work at the convent of Kyritz.
Works
Döring is said to be the author of the Confutation primatus Papae, written (1443) anonymously and without title. Name and title were added when the article was edited in 1550 by Matthias Flacius Illyricus. It is in part an extract from the Defensor pacisDefensor pacis
The tract Defensor pacis laid the foundations of modern doctrines of sovereignty. It was written by Marsilius of Padua , an Italian medieval scholar. It appeared in 1324 and provoked a storm of controversy that lasted through the century...
of Marsilius of Padua
Marsilius of Padua
Marsilius of Padua Marsilius of Padua Marsilius of Padua (Italian Marsilio or Marsiglio da Padova; (circa 1275 – circa 1342) was an Italian scholar, trained in medicine who practiced a variety of professions. He was also an important 14th century political figure...
(printed in Goldast, Monarchia, I, 557 sqq.).
Other works attributed to Döring are Defensorium postillae Nicolai Lyrani, against the Spanish bishop, Paul of Burgos
Paul of Burgos
Paul of Burgos was a Spanish Jew who converted to Christianity, and became an archbishop, lord chancellor, and exegete. He is known also as Pablo de Santa Maria, Paul de Santa Maria, and Pauli episcopi Burgensis...
, since 1481 frequently printed with the Postillae; Liber perplexorum Ecclesiae (lost); continuation (1420 to 1464) of the Chronicle of Dietrich Engelhus. He also wrote on the Donation of Constantine
Donation of Constantine
The Donation of Constantine is a forged Roman imperial decree by which the emperor Constantine I supposedly transferred authority over Rome and the western part of the Roman Empire to the pope. During the Middle Ages, the document was often cited in support of the Roman Church's claims to...
and (1444) on the relics of the Precious Blood of Wilsnack.