Buch der heiligen Dreifaltigkeit
Encyclopedia
The Buch der heiligen Dreifaltigkeit ("Book of the Holy Trinity") is an early 15th century alchemical treatise, attributed to one
Frater Ulmannus (latinization of the German given name Ulmann, from OHG uodal-man), a German Franciscan
.
The text survives in at least four 15th-century manuscripts, the archetype Cod. 78 A 11 (Berlin), dated to between 1410-1419 and three copies,
Heidelberg Cpg 843 Fasc. 3 (15th century)
Munich, Staatsbibl., Cgm 598 (late 15th century, after 1467)
and St. Gallen, Kantonsbibl., VadSlg Ms. 428 (dated 1488).
The treatise describes the alchemical process in terms of Christian mythology
.
The theme of the book is the analogy of the passion, death and resurrection of the Christ
with the alchemical process leading to the lapis philosophorum. The text is one of the most important alchemical works of late medieval Germany. It is not atypically a combination of alchemy and Christian mysticism
. Ganzenmüller (1956) speculated that the book may have been known to Jacob Boehme.
The Berlin manuscript contains drawings, some of which re-appear in later (16th century) alchemical works such as the 1550 Rosarium philosophorum.
The work became notable among German nobility, who, on the eve of the German Renaissance
, showed great interest in alchemy as a fashionable subject while at the same time rejecting occult magic
as impious. Ulmannus' work as an explicitly Christian treatment of alchemy could resolve this dilemma and became a prestige possession in 15th century libraries.
A revision of Ulmannus' text was prepared in 1433, for Johannes von Bayreuth
, the eldest son of Friedrich von Brandenburg
. Copies of this survive in MS. Dresden N 110 (dated 1492) and MS Gotha Landesbibliothek Ch. B. 254 (17th century). Other versions of the work are found in German National Museum Nuremberg MS 80061, John Rylands Library MS Germ 1, The Wellcome Institute, London, MS. 164, and other sources.
An edition of the work is in preparation (as of 2009) as a Würzburg dissertation.
Frater Ulmannus (latinization of the German given name Ulmann, from OHG uodal-man), a German Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
.
The text survives in at least four 15th-century manuscripts, the archetype Cod. 78 A 11 (Berlin), dated to between 1410-1419 and three copies,
Heidelberg Cpg 843 Fasc. 3 (15th century)
Munich, Staatsbibl., Cgm 598 (late 15th century, after 1467)
and St. Gallen, Kantonsbibl., VadSlg Ms. 428 (dated 1488).
The treatise describes the alchemical process in terms of Christian mythology
Christian mythology
Christian mythology is the body of myths associated with Christianity. In the study of mythology, the term "myth" refers to a traditional story, often one which is regarded as sacred and which explains how the world and its inhabitants came to have their present form.Classicist G.S. Kirk defines a...
.
The theme of the book is the analogy of the passion, death and resurrection of the Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
with the alchemical process leading to the lapis philosophorum. The text is one of the most important alchemical works of late medieval Germany. It is not atypically a combination of alchemy and Christian mysticism
Christian mysticism
Christian mysticism refers to the development of mystical practices and theory within Christianity. It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions...
. Ganzenmüller (1956) speculated that the book may have been known to Jacob Boehme.
The Berlin manuscript contains drawings, some of which re-appear in later (16th century) alchemical works such as the 1550 Rosarium philosophorum.
The work became notable among German nobility, who, on the eve of the German Renaissance
German Renaissance
The German Renaissance, part of the Northern Renaissance, was a cultural and artistic movement that spread among German thinkers in the 15th and 16th centuries, which originated from the Italian Renaissance in Italy...
, showed great interest in alchemy as a fashionable subject while at the same time rejecting occult magic
Renaissance magic
Renaissance humanism saw a resurgence in hermeticism and Neo-Platonic varieties of ceremonial magic.The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, on the other hand, saw the rise of scientism, in such forms as the substitution of chemistry for alchemy, the dethronement of the Ptolemaic theory of...
as impious. Ulmannus' work as an explicitly Christian treatment of alchemy could resolve this dilemma and became a prestige possession in 15th century libraries.
A revision of Ulmannus' text was prepared in 1433, for Johannes von Bayreuth
John, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
John, nicknamed the Alchemist was a Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach and served as the peace-loving Margrave of Brandenburg after the abdication of his father, Frederick I, the first member of the House of Hohenzollern to rule Brandenburg.-Biography:John was the eldest son of Frederick I,...
, the eldest son of Friedrich von Brandenburg
Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg
Frederick was Burgrave of Nuremberg as Frederick VI and Elector of Brandenburg as Frederick I. He was a son of Burgrave Frederick V of Nuremberg and Elisabeth of Meissen, and was the first member of the House of Hohenzollern to rule the Margraviate of Brandenburg.- Biography :Frederick entered...
. Copies of this survive in MS. Dresden N 110 (dated 1492) and MS Gotha Landesbibliothek Ch. B. 254 (17th century). Other versions of the work are found in German National Museum Nuremberg MS 80061, John Rylands Library MS Germ 1, The Wellcome Institute, London, MS. 164, and other sources.
An edition of the work is in preparation (as of 2009) as a Würzburg dissertation.