Der Schwanenritter in Württemberg
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Kristina Domanski
Abstract
Among the richly illustrated manuscripts produced by the so-called ›Henfflin workshop‹ for Margaret of Savoy, from 1453 Countess of Württemberg, there is a copy of the Middle High German ›Lohengrin‹. Its extensive series of illustrations highlights a number of individual aspects of the poem, through the choice of scenes and their presentation, that document its contemporary reception. In addition to the heroine, Elsam, and Lohengrin, who are presented as an ideal couple, the Emperor (Henry I.) is given a prominent position. Both Elsam and Lohengrin demonstrate characteristics that go beyond the usual depiction of courtliness: Elsam is at once Lohengrin’s constant companion and also a self-conscious ruler in her own right. An additional model of identification for Margaret may have been provided by her involvement in the building of churches and other foundations that are hinted at in the background of some illustrations. Lohengrin appears not only as a knightly warrior and defender of the faith, but also as an affectionate father. Both protagonists display traits of Early Humanism, which might reflect the self-perception of Margaret and her husband Ulrich V. The illustrations that accompany the historicizing epilogue of the ›Lohengrin‹ reflect not only, through the choice of subject matter, the place of the narrative in history, but also imply reference to the contemporary discussion of ecclesiastical reform. That Lohengrin is twice described as belonging to the House of Savoy leads to the question whether Margaret’s son Philipp (b. 1448) from her marriage with Louis IV, Elector Palatine, might additionally have been in view as a recipient of the manuscript, if the text were perceived as celebrating his ancestry.
Abstract
Among the richly illustrated manuscripts produced by the so-called ›Henfflin workshop‹ for Margaret of Savoy, from 1453 Countess of Württemberg, there is a copy of the Middle High German ›Lohengrin‹. Its extensive series of illustrations highlights a number of individual aspects of the poem, through the choice of scenes and their presentation, that document its contemporary reception. In addition to the heroine, Elsam, and Lohengrin, who are presented as an ideal couple, the Emperor (Henry I.) is given a prominent position. Both Elsam and Lohengrin demonstrate characteristics that go beyond the usual depiction of courtliness: Elsam is at once Lohengrin’s constant companion and also a self-conscious ruler in her own right. An additional model of identification for Margaret may have been provided by her involvement in the building of churches and other foundations that are hinted at in the background of some illustrations. Lohengrin appears not only as a knightly warrior and defender of the faith, but also as an affectionate father. Both protagonists display traits of Early Humanism, which might reflect the self-perception of Margaret and her husband Ulrich V. The illustrations that accompany the historicizing epilogue of the ›Lohengrin‹ reflect not only, through the choice of subject matter, the place of the narrative in history, but also imply reference to the contemporary discussion of ecclesiastical reform. That Lohengrin is twice described as belonging to the House of Savoy leads to the question whether Margaret’s son Philipp (b. 1448) from her marriage with Louis IV, Elector Palatine, might additionally have been in view as a recipient of the manuscript, if the text were perceived as celebrating his ancestry.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt VII
- Vorwort IX
- Zur Einleitung 1
- Württemberg als Kulturlandschaft im späteren Mittelalter 11
- Wissen für den Hof 37
- The Orient in Württemberg 47
- Zur Buchkultur am spätmittelalterlichen württembergischen Hof 67
- Der Schwanenritter in Württemberg 111
- The literary culture of Dominican women in late medieval Germany 157
- Liturgical manuals – liturgical norms 283
- Die Edelsteine der schwäbischen Krone 313
- Gräfin Katharina von Württemberg und die oberschwäbischen Doppelklöster der Prämonstratenser im Mittelalter 345
- Konstruktionen monastischer Identitäten 385
- The ›Alexiuslegende‹ in Esslingen 457
- Württembergisches in Donaueschinger Handschriften? 487
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Anhang
- Stammtafel 524
- Abkürzungsverzeichnis 526
- Abbildungsnachweis 527
- Handschriftenregister 528
- Register der Personen, Werke und Orte 539
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt VII
- Vorwort IX
- Zur Einleitung 1
- Württemberg als Kulturlandschaft im späteren Mittelalter 11
- Wissen für den Hof 37
- The Orient in Württemberg 47
- Zur Buchkultur am spätmittelalterlichen württembergischen Hof 67
- Der Schwanenritter in Württemberg 111
- The literary culture of Dominican women in late medieval Germany 157
- Liturgical manuals – liturgical norms 283
- Die Edelsteine der schwäbischen Krone 313
- Gräfin Katharina von Württemberg und die oberschwäbischen Doppelklöster der Prämonstratenser im Mittelalter 345
- Konstruktionen monastischer Identitäten 385
- The ›Alexiuslegende‹ in Esslingen 457
- Württembergisches in Donaueschinger Handschriften? 487
-
Anhang
- Stammtafel 524
- Abkürzungsverzeichnis 526
- Abbildungsnachweis 527
- Handschriftenregister 528
- Register der Personen, Werke und Orte 539
