Medieval Germany

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EuroDocs > History of Germany: Primary Documents > Medieval

Antiquity through Roman Decline (5th century)

Maps and images of transformations as seen through cultural artifacts.
(Includes data on former Roman provinces now found in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia)
Geographic and thematic approaches available in nine languages.
(Antiquity through 212 AD; maps and facsimile images)
Georeferencing and imaging of monuments of the Franks
(Includes parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland)
(Antiquity to Middle Ages; interactive maps, images)
  • Monumenta Germaniae Historica
    This is a monumental collection of medieval documents (even the title proclaims it).
    Consisting of published volumes in facsimile form of the sub-series:
Scriptores (Historiographers),
Leges (Legal Texts),
Diplomata (Political Documents),
Epistolae (Correspondence),
Antiquitates (Poetry and History of Thought), along with other sub-series.
Full-text searchable transcriptions to follow soon.
(Middle Ages; Latin and German facsimiles)
Read about the collection here.
Search the collection.
(3rd - 17th century; facsimiles, German and English interfaces)
Bamberg Diocese digitized document collection.
Browse or search the Bamberg treasures and collections.
(5th century - 1024; facsimiles, German interface)
High-tech digitized collection from the University of Würzburg Cathedral Library. Select from any number of medieval books on the shelf and open it to its original pages
(400-renaissance; German and English; facsimiles)

Gauls in the Frankish Empire (486-843)

  • Women’s Voices: Old Germany
Ancient women and their works
Radegund the Princess of Thuringia
Huneberc the Nun of Heidenheim
Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim
Ava of Göttweig
Hildegard of Bingen
Elisabeth of Schoenau
Mechtild of Magdeburg
Saint Gertrude of Helfta
Special thanks to Other Women’s Voices
(561-1282; German facsimiles and English translations)
"The database is intended to inventory all texts which describe the past in a narrative way: annals, chronicles, letters, diaries, poems, saint's lives, genealogies etc."
(6-16th century; English, French, Dutch)
The collection of Occidental manuscripts of the time from the 6th to the 20th century includes around 38,000 codices, among them predominantly 17,000 Latin and 13,000 German manuscripts, but also more than 1,000 French ones, 950 Italian ones, 650 Greek ones, 145 Spanish and Portuguese ones and 124 Slavic ones.
From Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
(6-20th century; facsimiles; English interface)
This chronicle covers the years 455 to 581 and gives important information on Burgandian and Franconian history, such as a smallpox epidemic. It also offers a different view from the biases of Gregory of Tours against the Arians.
(late 6th century; Latin; eBook)
Internet Medieval Sourcebook on the commercial revolution, trade and commerce, the church, slavery and the rise of towns.
In cooperation with Fordham University
(600-1270 ; English and Latin transcriptions)
The following Life was written in answer to the many requests from Boniface's friends in Britain, France and Germany, who wished, like Bishop Milret of Worcester, to have "an account of the life and glorious end" of their hero.
See also Correspondence of St. Boniface
From Fordham
(8th century; English transcription)
One of the most important Central European historiography and topography source works for the 8th century to 12th century. Among other things, the significance of the manuscript lies in the fact that more than 1,000 localities, mainly from southern and western Germany, are mentioned for the first time.
(8th-12th century; German interface; Latin facsimile)
The fights of mankind are recorded alongside the success or failure of crops.
(709-732)
Manuscripts from Reichenau and St. Gall monasteries, identifiable by their distinct script.
See manuscripts here.
Architectural plans for St. Gall Monastery.
"Located roughly twenty-five miles apart on what is now the border between Switzerland and Germany, the island monastery of Reichenau and the mountain valley monastery of St. Gall were members of a network of imperial monasteries stretching across the Carolingian empire in the eighth and ninth centuries."
(719 - 9th century; facsimiles, English and German interfaces)
Online database from the Medieval Sourcebook
In cooperation with Fordham University
(727-884; English transcription)
Carolingian primary chronicle.
(741; Latin)
Chronologically organized literature from Germany; includes texts in Old High German, Middle High German, and other dialects
From the Bibliotheca Augustana
(750-2004; German; facsimiles and transcriptions)
As an inventory of all documentary and historiographical sources of the Roman-German royal lines from the Carolingians to Maximilian I, as well as of the Popes of the Early and High Middle Ages, the Regesta Imperii are among the great source works of German and European History.
Available as browse for facsimiles of original book pages or as an advanced keyword search for the corresponding full texts.
(751-1519; German facsimiles & transcriptions)
Charlemagne issued this list of transgressions punishable by death, including a Christian decree which banned burning or eating pagans' witches.
Made available by In Nomine Jassa
(780; Latin transcription with some English translations; portions of the facsimile)
”These are the first continuous texts in a Slavic language written in Latin script and the oldest documents in Slovene.” Collection of Sermons, Treatises, Liturgical Formulae and Canons. Slavic Liturgical Formulae
Translated by Samuel Hazard Cross and Olgerd P. Sherbowitz-Wetzor
(9th century; facsimile; Slavic language in Latin script)
"When one of Anskar's followers suggested to him that he could work miracles he replied,' Were I worthy of such a favour from my God, I would ask that He would grant to me this one miracle, that by His grace He would make of me a good man.'"
From the Internet History Sourcebooks Project
(9th century; English translation)
The deeds of Emperor Karl the Great by Notker the Stammerer
Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(9th century; German facsimile)
The Lesser Annals of Lorsch. Involves events of the Frankish Empre including the transition from Merovingian to Carolingian rule.
From Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(9th centur; Latin)
A Database On Carolingian Secular Law Texts.
(9th – 16th century; Latin and English )
(802; English translation)
Includes name, year, and location of eating contest.
(803-1299; Russian translation)
Carolingian review of astronomy. Attempt to christianize the study of astronomy.
(809; Latin facsimile)
(817; English translation)
Continuation of the Royal Frankish Annals.
See also Annales Bertiniani
(830-882; Latin)
The Mid-Ninth century is often taken as the low point of Western European civilization. The Annals of the Abbey of Xanten, (near the mouth of the River Rhine), express the situation.
See the [*English translation]
(832-873; Latin)

Carolingian Age (843-911)

Poetry of the Carolingian and Ottonian periods, providing insight into the spiritual and political world of that time.
From Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(mid-8th to 11th century; early medieval Latin transcription; German interface)
Another Frankish chronicle.
(874-900; Latin)
CLICK REFRESH FOR RESULTS TO APPEAR. From the DeGreorio Collection of Antiquities come over 2300 manuscripts from medieval Germany
See also PRINTS
(9-20th century; German facsimiles)
It contains interesting details about the foundation of the Abbey of Fulda and the various changes that took place there.
From Fordham
(9th century; English transcription]
Frankish Annals of Fulda provide information on the timespan from the end of Louis the Pious' reign to the the accession of Louis III
(900; Latin transcription)
(904-906; Latin transcription with Russian translation)
Chronicle of Regino of Prüm. The writer interweaves the rise and fall of the Carolingian dynasty with the events of his own life. He offers valuable insight into Bulgarian history and rare information on the organization of the Council of Preslav.
(906; German translation)

Saxons & Salians (911-1125)

Even in the tenth and twelfth centuries it was still necessary for Councils of the Church in Germany, England, and Ireland to forbid the sale of unfree Christians.
From the Medieval Sourcebook
(922-1171; English)
With heaviest emphases on the cities of Meissen, Leipzig, and Freiberg
(948-1555; German and Latin facsimiles of original book pages)
From Alpert of Metz, a critical source for West German, French, Belgian and Dutch history
(990-1021; Latin facsimile)
Including a battle between the Ljutici and the Christians of the north.
From In Nomine Jassa
(11th century; English translation)
By Bishop Thietmar von Merseburg, a chronicle including Saxon emperors as well as information of the Slavs east of Elbe River, the Hungarians and the Poles
Exemplary digital editing by Monumenta Germaniae Historica
Latin version
(ca. 1000; German facsimiles and transcriptions)
Also called Saxonicae Annales Quedlinburgenses or Quedlinburger Annalen
Important early history from a German convent, probably written by a nun. First written mention of Lithuania by name.
Complete German translation
(1008; Latin text pg. 381 and german introduction)
Translated by W.L. North (1008; English translation)
Documents on Bruno of Querfurt:
Latin version
German version
”The life was composed, it seems, soon after Burchard's death in 1025 by a canon of Worms, perhaps Ebbo/Eberhard, cathedral master and custodian of Worms and later bishop of Konstanz (1034-46).”
Medieval Sourcebook in cooperation with Fordham University
(1025 ; English transcription)
Historical events pertaining to Heinrich IV.
Part of Monumenta Germaniae Historica, a multi-volume series documenting German history.
(1039-1047 ; German and Latin facsimiles)
Swabian World Chronicle is a history until 1043
From Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(1045; Latin facsimile)
By Ebo and Herbordus. Otto was a missionary in the years of European Christianization.
(1060-1139; English translation; ebook)
"Deeds of the Bishops of Hamburg” by Adam of Bremen, reporting the Viking Age, the first finding of North America, and Norse paganism.
Selections of the English version HERE
(1073-1076 AD; Latin eBook)
Historical events pertaining to Heinrich IV.
Part of Monumenta Germaniae Historica, a multi-volume series documenting German history.
(1077-1106 AD; Latin facsimile and German inserts)
PDF. This partisan, and indeed polemical, history of the conflict between Henry IV of Germany and the Saxon rebels is a strictly contemporary work, believed to have been written in or about the year 1082.
(1082; English translation)
A Jewish point of view on the First Crusade of 1096, specifically what the Crusaders did in Mainz and Rhineland. The narrator occasionally describes events inaccurately for the sake of getting his point across.
(1096; English translation from the original Hebrew)
A history of the deeds of Friedrich I in Lombardy
Made available by Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(12th century; German and Latin facsimile)
  • Bamberger Weltchronistik
Die anonymen Frutolf-Fortsetzungen bis 1101 und 1106 - The anonymous Frutolf sequels (1101 and 1106)
Die anonyme Kaiserchronik - The anonymous chronicles of the emperor
From Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(12th century; Latin; PDF)
Chronicle by Helmoldus about the Polabian Slavs, who lived along the Elbe Riber.
Continued on with Arnold of Lübeck's Chronicle. Some English excerpts can be found here.
(12th century; Latin ebook)
Ekkehard... a well-known German historian had completed a history of the world in the year 1101 when he determined to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On his return he entirely rewrote the particulars of his history relating to the First Crusade.
From the Internet History Sourcebook
(12th century, English translation)

Late Middle Ages (1125-1399)

(1152-1157; English translation)
Collection of primary documents about the trade agreement between German and Baltic cities known as the Hanseatic League.
(English translation; 1157-1659)
Medieval sources beginning with "Privilege of Frederick I for the Students, 1158"
(1158-1274; English translation)
(13 April 1180; English translation)
(1085; English translation)
An imperial chronicle regarding German monarchs and their Carolingian predecessors, from 741-1142
From MDZ
(12th century; Latin facsimile)
The Imperial Chronicle, from the reign of Julius Caesar to Conrad III, including the transition from a pagan to a Christian world
See also, the facsimile edition.
(1146; German eBook)
  • Letters of Crusaders
Conrad III, First Letter to Wibald, Abbot of Corvey
Conrad III, Second Letter to Wibald, Abbot of Corvey
Frederick I, Letter to Leopold of Austria
Sibylla, Ex-Queen of Jerusalem, Letter to Frederick I
The Duke of Lorraine, Letter to the Archbishop of Cologne
Frederic II, Letter to Henry III of England
More available HERE
(1148-1229; English translation)
Written by Priest Helmold about the pre-Christian Polabian Slavs of what is now East Germany
Book II
From In Nomine Jassa
(1171; English translation)
Royal Chronicle of Cologne, covering the years 576-1202. A history of kings and emperors.
(1177; Latin facsimile)
Documents of Heinrich VI, the Holy Roman Emperor, King of Germany and King of Sicily
From Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(circa 1190; German and Latin)
A Google Books preview. Some pages are omitted, but many still can be read. It its entirety, contents include:
The History of the Expedition of Emperor Frederick (33) - find full Latin version HERE
The History of the Pilgrims (135)
The Chronicle of Magnus of Reichersberg (149)
A Letter Concerning the Death of the Emperor Frederick (169) - also available HERE
The Chronicle of Otto of St Blasien (173)
An Account of the Seaborne Journey of the Pilgrims Heading to Jerusalem Who Captured Silves in 1189 (193)
Frederick I's Imperial "Land Peace" (209)
(circa 12th century; English translation)
  • Urkunden Heinrichs VI.
Papers of Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Vorabedition Urkunden Heinrichs VI. für deutsche, französische und italienische Empfänger
Vorabedition Urkunden Heinrichs VI. für Empfänger aus dem Regnum Siciliae
(late 12th century; German)
Letters, reports and other papers documenting the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia.
(13th-15th century; German)
  • Nova Alamanniae
1st Half/2nd Half
Documents, letters and correspondence regarding German history during the 13th century.
(13th century; German facsimile)
Agriculture during the time of King Albrecht. Find Part II here.
Digitized from the collection, Quellen zur Schweizer Geschichte.
(13th century; German and Latin)
Collection of letters detailing German history in the second half of the 13th century in German and Austrian lands.
(13th century; German facsimile)
An epic poem with origins in 5th-6th century historic events and figures. It was utilized for anti-democratic and National-Socialist propaganda during WWII.
(1200; English translation)
PDF. This chronicle, one of the main sources for German history at the end of the twelfth century, was written c. 1209-10, and intended as a continuation to the Chronicle of Bishop Otto of Freising, from which the author frequently quoted.
(1209; English translation)
"This expedition which, of course, was not a Crusade at all in the strict sense of the term ­ attracted thousands of children and young adults from northern France and western Germany to its banners."
In cooperation with Fordham
(1212; English translation)
Also called Der Welscher Gast or The Romance stranger, a poem written by Thomasin von Zerklaere in the German tongue. It is a manual teaching young nobles how to behave, including advice on chivalry, love, and proper mannerisms of daily life.
Find both the facsimile and the 1852 printed edition.
(1215; German; facsimiles and transcriptions)
Poet Rudolf von Ems' "Weltchronik" is an incomplete, rhymed version of the Bible, with supplements from other sources.
From the New York Public Library
(1252; German; facsimiles)
(19 November 1274; English translation)
The Jena Martyrology.
Oldest German-language martyrology.
Digitized facsimile.
(1275; German facsimile)
This two part chronicle consists of a word history including papal and kingly politics, in addition to a history of the mid-fourteenth century.
From MGH
(1294-1363; Latin facsimile)
  • Der Sachsenspiegel
Complete facsimile in the Heidelberg University Library
Online facsimile from the Herzog-August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel
A set of historical and legal documents (land and fiefdom rights) from Saxony & vicinity.
(Early 14th century; German facsimiles)
The Livonian Rhymed Chronicle (1180-1343), which was possibly written in order to inspire the crusading knights of the Livonian Order. Its greatest value is in the information about Livonia, what is now Estonia and Latvia.
(14th century; high German facsimile)
Die große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift.
Complete facsimile of the Codex Palatinus Germanicus 848 in the Heidelberg university library,
A famous and well-preserved collection of medieval German literature.
(1305-1340; German facsimiles)
The annals of Bartholomew of Lucca, which offer the chief events of 1061–1303.
(1307; Latin and German facsimiles)
Chronicle begins with the pontification of Pope Innocent III. (1200) and ends with the reign of Charles IV (1348)
Made available by Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(mid 14th century; German and Latin facsimile)
(1356; English translation)
The Cologne Chronicle serves three purposes: to offer a papal history, a German land and city history, and a dated history handbook for pastoral practices for the years 1273-1376.
Comparable to Die Weltchronik des Mönchs Albert 1273-1456
Made available by Monumenta Germaniae Historica
(1376; German and Latin facsimile)
(1386; English translation)
Made by Henry Earl of Derby (Afterwards King Henry IV)
(1391-1393; English facsimile)
Printed on parchment in Johannes Gutenberg’s workshop in Mainz, issued by Johannes de Ytestein in Nuremberg
(1455; facsimile)
Hartmann Schedel's collection, portraying his interest in almost all fields of knowledge of the late Middle Ages: rhetoric, astronomy, philosophy, ancient and humanistic literature, historiography, geography and cosmography, medicine, law, theology.
Compiled by Münchener DigitalisierungsZentrum
(1493 century; German and Latin facsimiles with German interface)
Source materials about the war between Swabia and Switzerland in 1499
From the University of Freiburg
(1499-1550; German and Latin transcriptions)
Digitized block books from the Bavarian collections, belonging to the rarest and most valuable libraries worldwide.
(15th century; manuscripts; German interface)

Other Medieval Sources

(German transcriptions & translations)
E-book including a collection of medieval source documents. Mainly by medieval historians.
(German and Latin)
Standard and comprehensive source for questions of chronology, time reckonings and calendars.
Extends beyond the German border; includes calendars of saints by city, diocese and order.
Digitized by Dr. Horst Ruth.
(Annotated Latin and German transcriptions)
Over 90,000 medieval manuscripts from across libraries across German-speaking countries.
(German interface; facsimiles)
Facsimiles of German-language medieval manuscripts.
Organized by locations of manuscripts.
Online medieval documents relating to the history of Regensburg.
(German and Latin facsimiles and transcriptions)
Virtual reconstruction of what was once the most famous book collection in Germany.
Made available by the Heidelberg University Library.
(Latin, Greek and German facsimiles; images and manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period)
As illustrated through hundreds of document pages.
(Latin and German facsimiles)
Bielefeld [u.a.]: Velhagen & Klasing 1886.
Historical atlas digitized by Monumenta Germaniae Historica.
(Facsimile maps with commentary, mainly of Germany and Europe)
(German transcriptions & translations)
(German transcriptions & translations)
Over 90,000 digitized and transcribed Western European manuscripts from the Middle Ages.
(facsimiles, transcriptions, German interface)
Digitized handwritten codices from the Middle Ages
Compiled at SLUB Dresden
(German interface; facsimiles in German, Italian, Polish, etc)

EuroDocs > History of Germany: Primary Documents > Medieval


EuroDocs Creator: Richard Hacken, European Studies Librarian,
Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
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