GB 0103 MS GERM 19 - Nieder's '24 Golden Harps'

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0103 MS GERM 19

Title

Nieder's '24 Golden Harps'

Date(s)

  • 15th century (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

1 volume containing 151 leaves

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

John Nider (Johannes Nieder): born in Swabia, 1380; entered the Order of Preachers at Colmar; sent to Vienna for philosophical studies; finished his studies and was ordained at Cologne; active at the Council of Constance; returned to Vienna and taught as Master of Theology, 1425; prior of the Dominican convent at Nuremberg, 1427; served successively as socius to his master general and vicar of the reformed convents of the German province, in which capacity he maintained an earlier reputation as a reformer; prior of the convent of strict observance at Basle, 1431; became identified with the Council of Basle as theologian and legate; made embassies to the Hussites at the command of Cardinal Julian; as legate of the Council, succeeded in pacifying the Bohemians; travelled to Ratisbon to effect further reconciliation with them, 1434; proceeded to Vienna to continue reforming the convents; in dicussions following the dissolution of the Couneil of Basle joined the party in favour of continuing the Council in Germany, but abandoned it when the Pope remained firmly opposed; resumed his theological lectures at Vienna, 1436; twice elected dean of the University; author of various treatises, including (in German) the 'Goldene Harfen' (24 Golden Harps), based on the Collations of Cassianus; died at Colmar, 1438.

Archival history

The manuscript belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MS 717. Also bearing on folio 1r: 333; Bibl. v. Ess (Professor van Ess of Marburg).
GB 0103 MS GERM 19 15th century Collection (fonds) 1 volume containing 151 leaves Unknown
John Nider (Johannes Nieder): born in Swabia, 1380; entered the Order of Preachers at Colmar; sent to Vienna for philosophical studies; finished his studies and was ordained at Cologne; active at the Council of Constance; returned to Vienna and taught as Master of Theology, 1425; prior of the Dominican convent at Nuremberg, 1427; served successively as socius to his master general and vicar of the reformed convents of the German province, in which capacity he maintained an earlier reputation as a reformer; prior of the convent of strict observance at Basle, 1431; became identified with the Council of Basle as theologian and legate; made embassies to the Hussites at the command of Cardinal Julian; as legate of the Council, succeeded in pacifying the Bohemians; travelled to Ratisbon to effect further reconciliation with them, 1434; proceeded to Vienna to continue reforming the convents; in dicussions following the dissolution of the Couneil of Basle joined the party in favour of continuing the Council in Germany, but abandoned it when the Pope remained firmly opposed; resumed his theological lectures at Vienna, 1436; twice elected dean of the University; author of various treatises, including (in German) the 'Goldene Harfen' (24 Golden Harps), based on the Collations of Cassianus; died at Colmar, 1438.

The manuscript belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MS 717. Also bearing on folio 1r: 333; Bibl. v. Ess (Professor van Ess of Marburg).

Presented to University College London by Lord Roseberry in 1911.

Manuscript volume, 15th century, containing Johannes Nieder's '24 Golden Harps' (incomplete).

Open.

Normal copyright restrictions apply.
Low German dialect. Gothic minuscule hand.
Paper manuscript bound in stamped leather (front cover original, otherwise rebound) and two brass clasps. One hand. Red initials. 22cm.

Dorothy K Coveney, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London (London, 1935); N R Ker, Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries, i (London and Oxford, 1969); handlist at University College London Special Collections.

Other manuscripts of Nieder's '24 Golden Harps' survive, e g Hofbibliothek, Munich, MS Codex Germ. 602, but University College London Special Collections, MS GERM 19, is apparently the only known manuscript of the text in Low German. The work was also published, e g an edition of 1470 at the British Library.

Source: Catholic Encyclopaedia, available via the website http://www.newadvent.org. Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Sep 2001 Ancient religions Christianity Nider , John , 1380-1438 , German theologian and reformer x Nieder , Johannes Religions Religious doctrines Religious texts Theology

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Presented to University College London by Lord Roseberry in 1911.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Manuscript volume, 15th century, containing Johannes Nieder's '24 Golden Harps' (incomplete).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

Low German dialect. Gothic minuscule hand.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Dorothy K Coveney, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London (London, 1935); N R Ker, Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries, i (London and Oxford, 1969); handlist at University College London Special Collections.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Other manuscripts of Nieder's '24 Golden Harps' survive, e g Hofbibliothek, Munich, MS Codex Germ. 602, but University College London Special Collections, MS GERM 19, is apparently the only known manuscript of the text in Low German. The work was also published, e g an edition of 1470 at the British Library.

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

University College London

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area