Thietmar of Merseburg
Thietmar, who was Bishop of Merseburg from 1009 to 1018, was one of the most important chroniclers of the Ottonian age. Descending from the house of the Counts of Walbeck, Thietmar received a comprehensive education in Quedlinburg and Magdeburg for his later clerical career. Through the intercession of the Archbishop of Magdeburg, Tagino, he was elevated to the episcopal throne of Merseburg in 1009. Here, his main concerns were the problems surrounding the re-establishment of the bishopric in 1004 and the building of a new cathedral. In particular, he was very closely connected to King Henry II, which was also apparent in the frequency of the king’s stays in Merseburg.
Numerous documents in the Merseburg cathedral archives bear witness to Thietmar’s successful efforts to restore the original possessions of the Merseburg bishopric through royal donations. In doing so, the bishop did not shy away from forgeries, which were supported by the descriptions in his chronicle.
Thietmar’s chronicle is the most important narrative source on the foundation, dissolution and re-establishment of the Merseburg bishopric. In it, he clearly outlines the history of the Ottonian rulers and the relationship of Merseburg to the Archbishopric of Magdeburg. The chronicle is therefore of great importance for the 10th and early 11th centuries, especially when it is stripped of the bishop’s partiality. It is also an important record of the life of a noble cleric, the spiritual mentality and the missionary history of the regions east of the Saale. It is no coincidence that it contains the first mentions of many places, including Leipzig.
Bishop Thietmar died in 1018. Initially buried in what was then Merseburg Cathedral, his remains were later transferred to the new cathedral. A memorial tomb was erected for him in the Bishop’s Chapel in the 13th century. Today’s design, with a surrounding band of lettering, reproduces the inscription that was still legible on the stone in the 17th century.
Special exhibition: Thietmar's world
There was a successful special cultural and historical exhibition in 2018 "Thietmar's world. A Merseburg bishop writes history". His famous chronicle vividly illustrates and lively political and spiritual events of the 10th century, important people such as popes, emperors, Kings and bishops with all their achievements and doubts as well as religious, cultural, economic and ethnological Observations of this time. Based on the descriptions the chronicle, the exhibition has brought this era back to life. let. The visitor is immersed in the imaginary world of the medieval people, experienced imperial coronations, magnificent Court days and church festivals, but also everyday life in Burgundy villagers, the efforts involved in the reclamation of the land, famines and dangers. Thanks to high-ranking loans as well as selected texts from Thietmar's chronicle to transport the visitor into the world of the Middle Ages.
The organisers were satisfied with the number of visitors, which totalled almost 19,000. Curator Markus Cottin summarised the exhibition as follows: "The exhibition offered a unique insight into one of the most fascinating chronicles of the Middle Ages. Thanks to outstanding artefacts from European collections, the Ottonian era was presented in all its facets. Through the dialogue between text and object, visitors were able to immerse themselves in a distant world that is only seemingly remote. Anyone who hears the name Merseburg in future will think of Bishop Thietmar as the chronicler of the Ottonian Middle Ages, as well as the magic spells."
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