Saint Gall World Chronicle

Saint Gall World Chronicle

Around the year 1300, two beloved documents of German Gothic poetry were combined in one codex, namely the World Chronicle of Rudolf von Ems and the heroic epic about Charlemagne by the so-called der Stricker. Both of the High Middle German tales in verse are written in rhyming couplets and are decorated with lively miniatures set against costly golden backgrounds. The contents of this work, whose commissioner probably hailed from a courtly environment, was aimed at a knightly audience and takes the modern beholder back to the Middle Ages, to recite the world and legends of Charlemagne around a Gothic table with meat and drink.

Two Works, Two Masters

The World Chronicle, as was typical in the Middle Ages, is oriented toward the Bible and was compiled by the Staufian court poet Rudolf von Ems. It was created at the behest of the Staufen King Conrad IV and relates the history of the Earth in over 33,000 rhyming couplets, from the creation of the Earth to the death of King Solomon. The biblical events were stylized for the time period: the book art accompanying the text depicts slender female figures in flowing garments and battling knights in armor. No name for the author of the Legends of Charlemagne is known, only his pseudonym “Der Stricker” (knitter). His script does not resemble that of a cleric or a knight, it indicates that the author was from the Burgher class. For the structure of his epic, the Stricker used the Song of Roland, which told of Charlemagne and his trusted knight Roland, who falls valiantly in battle against the Saracens. Charlemagne, who was called by Roland’s horn Oliphant too late, could not save his friend, but nonetheless defeated the enemy in a subsequent battle, which is seen as being symbolic for Christian victory over the heathen.

The most Expensive Book Paintings of their Time

The 58 miniatures of the codex, which were laid upon a background of gold leaf, involve truly extraordinary book painting. The images are not in the style of the Zackenstil, as in previous works, but rather show a strong influence from the French art of illumination. Biblical elements, ancient hero sagas, and stories from the life of Charlemagne were depicted in expressive and surprising liveliness. The gold background of the paintings makes the exceptional worth of the codex clear. Not only are the stories both informative and enjoyable, but also the thrilling illustrations make this work an especially magnificent specimen of medieval German bookmaking.