Ambrosius of Heiligenkreuz as a Reader of the Vita Severini – A Contribution to the Reception of Eugippius

Abstract

This paper identifies the author of the conscious reading marking and marginalia for the Vita S. Severini of Eugippius in two late-12th-century manuscripts from the Heiligenkreuz scriptorium (Heiligenkreuz, Cod. 11 and Vienna, Austrian National Library, cvp. 416) as the Heiligenkreuz monk and Dr. of Decretals Ambrosius, whom the relevant sources verify for the period around 1305/1317. This makes for a rare example of reception of the Vita Severini in 14th century, a time at which the Vita was little known. Further, an assessment of the glosses reveals that a research position that has been widely-held up to now – namely, that the Vita Severini – was of interest not as regards Severin the saint but primarily from an antiquarian and historical perspective or for political and propagandistic reasons (Lorcher Fabel!) – must be called into question.

Keywords

• Ambrose of Heiligenkreuz
• Eugippius
• Vita S. Severini
• reception history
• reading traces
• Heiligenkreuz