Ulrich Boner
Encyclopedia
Ulrich Boner, or Bonerius, (fl. early 14th century), was a German-speaking
Swiss
writer
of fable
.
He was born in Bern, descended of an old Bernese family and, as far as can be ascertained, took clerical orders and became a monk; yet as it appears that he subsequently married, it is certain that he received the tonsure only, and was thus entitled to the benefit of the clerici uxoriati, who, on divesting themselves of the clerical garb, could return to secular life. He is mentioned in records between 1324 and 1349, but neither before nor after these dates.
He wrote, in Middle High German
, a collection of fables entitled Der Edelstein (c. 1349), one hundred in number, which were based principally on those of Avianus
(4th century) and the Anonymus (edited by I. Nevelet, 1610). Boner treats his sources with considerable freedom and originality; he writes a clear and simple style, and the necessarily didactic tone of the collection is relieved by touches of humour. He dedicated this work to the Bernese patrician and poet, Johann von Rinkenberg, advocatus (Vogt) of Brienz
(d. c. 1350). It was printed in 1461 at Bamberg
by Albrecht Pfister
and was one of the first books printed in the German language
.
Der Edelstein has been edited by GF Benecke
(Berlin, 1816) and Franz Pfeiffer
(Leipzig, 1844); a translation into modern German by K Pannier will be found in Reclams Universal-Bibliothek (Leipzig, 1895). See also GE Lessing
in Zur Geschichte und Literatur (Werke, ix.); and C Waas, Die Quellen der Beispiele Boners (Giessen, 1897).
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of fable
Fable
A fable is a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized , and that illustrates a moral lesson , which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim.A fable differs from...
.
He was born in Bern, descended of an old Bernese family and, as far as can be ascertained, took clerical orders and became a monk; yet as it appears that he subsequently married, it is certain that he received the tonsure only, and was thus entitled to the benefit of the clerici uxoriati, who, on divesting themselves of the clerical garb, could return to secular life. He is mentioned in records between 1324 and 1349, but neither before nor after these dates.
He wrote, in Middle High German
Middle High German
Middle High German , abbreviated MHG , is the term used for the period in the history of the German language between 1050 and 1350. It is preceded by Old High German and followed by Early New High German...
, a collection of fables entitled Der Edelstein (c. 1349), one hundred in number, which were based principally on those of Avianus
Avianus
Avianus, a Latin writer of fables, generally placed in the 5th century, and identified as a pagan.The 42 fables which bear his name are dedicated to a certain Theodosius, whose learning is spoken of in most flattering terms. He may possibly be Macrobius Ambrosius Theodosius, the author of...
(4th century) and the Anonymus (edited by I. Nevelet, 1610). Boner treats his sources with considerable freedom and originality; he writes a clear and simple style, and the necessarily didactic tone of the collection is relieved by touches of humour. He dedicated this work to the Bernese patrician and poet, Johann von Rinkenberg, advocatus (Vogt) of Brienz
Brienz
Brienz is a municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.The village lies on the north bank of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland at the foot of the Brienzer Rothorn mountain.-History:...
(d. c. 1350). It was printed in 1461 at Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
by Albrecht Pfister
Albrecht Pfister
Albrecht Pfister was one of the very first European printers to use movable type, following its invention by Johannes Gutenberg. Working in Bamberg, Germany, he is believed to have been responsible for two innovations in the use of the new technology: printing books in the German language, and...
and was one of the first books printed in the German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
Der Edelstein has been edited by GF Benecke
Georg Friedrich Benecke
Georg Friedrich Benecke was a German philologist. In 1814 he became professor at the University of Göttingen. Benecke was editor of a dictionary to Hartmann von Aue's Ywain .- External links :...
(Berlin, 1816) and Franz Pfeiffer
Franz Pfeiffer
Franz Pfeiffer , was a Swiss literary scholar.He was born in Solothurn as a Bürger of Bettlach. After studying at the University of Munich he went to Stuttgart, where in 1846 he became librarian to the royal library. In 1856, Pfeiffer founded the Germanic, a quarterly periodical devoted to German...
(Leipzig, 1844); a translation into modern German by K Pannier will be found in Reclams Universal-Bibliothek (Leipzig, 1895). See also GE Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment era. His plays and theoretical writings substantially influenced the development of German literature...
in Zur Geschichte und Literatur (Werke, ix.); and C Waas, Die Quellen der Beispiele Boners (Giessen, 1897).