Visio Godeschalci
Encyclopedia
Visio Godeschalci is a 12th century text relating the vision of a peasant of Harrie, now Großharrie
in Holstein
, named Gottschalk. In December 1189, during the siege of Segeberg
castle, Gottschalk fell ill, and during five days was presumed dead.
His visions were recorded by two authors, surviving in two distinct but congruent accounts, both in Latin
, an extensive one (text A: Godeschalcus) and a shorter one (text B: Visio Godeschalci).
monastery, originally from Lower Saxony
, and shows literary and philosophical education. In the section on purgatory
, the author adds observations on current events, incidentally doubling as a primary source of everyday and legal affairs of the late 12th century Holy Roman Empire.
. It is uncertain whether he had access to the longer text. The text is an account in the first person. This version is mentioned by Caesarius von Heisterbach in his Dialogus miraculorum.
and of Christian mythology
.
Gottschalk experiences separation from his body and is received to the afterlife by two angels. He is shown a vision of purgatory
, where he recognizes several prominent deceased atoning for their sins. He then sees Heavenly Jerusalem, but is not allowed to set foot in it. Instead, he returns to his body.
Großharrie
Großharrie is a municipality in the district of Plön, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany....
in Holstein
Holstein
Holstein is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider. It is part of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany....
, named Gottschalk. In December 1189, during the siege of Segeberg
Segeberg
Segeberg is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Pinneberg, Steinburg and Rendsburg-Eckernförde, the city of Neumünster, the districts of Plön, Ostholstein and Stormarn, and the city state of Hamburg.-History:The history of the district is connected with the...
castle, Gottschalk fell ill, and during five days was presumed dead.
His visions were recorded by two authors, surviving in two distinct but congruent accounts, both in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, an extensive one (text A: Godeschalcus) and a shorter one (text B: Visio Godeschalci).
Godeschalcus
The longer text presumably dates to between August and October 1190. The author presumably was a canonicus of NeumünsterNeumünster
Neumünster is an independent town in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which has a total of four independent towns.-Current Situation:Neumünster station is major railway junction with lines running in six directions, including the important Hamburg-Altona–Kiel and Neumünster–Flensburg lines.Near...
monastery, originally from Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
, and shows literary and philosophical education. In the section on purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
, the author adds observations on current events, incidentally doubling as a primary source of everyday and legal affairs of the late 12th century Holy Roman Empire.
Visio Godeschalci
The author of the shorter version was presumably the priest of NortorfNortorf
Nortorf is a town in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated approx. 13 km northwest of Neumünster, and 25 km southwest of Kiel.-Geography:...
. It is uncertain whether he had access to the longer text. The text is an account in the first person. This version is mentioned by Caesarius von Heisterbach in his Dialogus miraculorum.
Manuscripts
- Wolfenbüttel, Herzog-August-BibliothekHerzog August BibliothekThe Herzog August Library , in Wolfenbüttel, , known also as Bibliotheca Augusta, it has an international importance for its collection from the Middle Ages and Early modern Europe. The library is overseen by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture...
, Cod. 558 Helst., 1v-24r (Autograph) - Hannover, Niedersächsische Landesbibliothek, Ms. XXIII 163, f.1-81
The vision
The vision shows the influence both of local folkloreFolklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
and of Christian mythology
Christian mythology
Christian mythology is the body of myths associated with Christianity. In the study of mythology, the term "myth" refers to a traditional story, often one which is regarded as sacred and which explains how the world and its inhabitants came to have their present form.Classicist G.S. Kirk defines a...
.
Gottschalk experiences separation from his body and is received to the afterlife by two angels. He is shown a vision of purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
, where he recognizes several prominent deceased atoning for their sins. He then sees Heavenly Jerusalem, but is not allowed to set foot in it. Instead, he returns to his body.
Modern editions
- Erwin Assman: Godeschalcus und Visio Godeschalci. (Quellen und Forschungen zur Geschichte Schleswig-Holsteins, 74) Neumünster 1979 ISBN 3-529-02174-1