Sakramentar Heinrichs II. - BSB Clm 4456

Bayerische Staatsbibliothek

Description

The sacramentary of Henry II (1002-1024 German king of the Romans, from 1014 emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) is one of the most important testimonies of Ottonian book art. Sacramentaries are collections of prayers for mass. The manuscript was commissioned by Henry from the Ratisbon monastery St. Emmeram. The exact date of its creation is under debate. Generally it is seen in connection to Henry’s coronation as king in 1002, a relationship with his election as emperor in 1014 can, however, not be excluded. Originally destined for Ratisbon, the manuscript arrived at the bishopric of Bamberg under Henry II. In 1803, it was taken during secularisation to the then electoral court library, i.e. today’s Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library). In the manuscript the so-called coronation image of Henry II is of particular importance – it is the best-known depiction of the ruler. Here, the binding of the facsimile edition is presented. On its front cover is a relief made of ivory, probably created in Metz around 980/990, which shows Christ’s Crucifixion and Easter Morning. On the back, a silver plate with a depiction of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) is affixed, which probably comes from Bamberg or Lorraine.

3D-reproduction after the 2010 facsimile of the Sacramentary of Henry II – manuscript Clm 4456 of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München. Gütersloh/München: Faksimile-Verlag in the wissenmedia GmbH, with kind permission of the publishing house.