The Gradual of Gisela von Kerssenbrock

A gradual is a collection of all Latin hymns, which accompanied daily mass in monastic orders and were sung by Gregorian choirs. Such a gradual of truly exceptional quality originates from the Marienbrunn Convent in Rulle bei Osnabrück. The Gradual of Gisela von Kerssenbrock was drafted around 1300 by its namesake, Gisela of Kerssenbrock. She wrote down the notation for the Latin hymns and masterfully illustrated the pages of her work with gold initials on a polished gold background. In total the codex contains 53 embellished initials, some taking up a whole page. Additionally, there are 15 blue and gold initials entangled with flaming red tendrils, as well as 200 small gold initials with blue and red backgrounds.

The Word of God in Daily Hymns

The Gregorian choral singing was probably the most important and indispensable element of mass in medieval cloisters. The accompanied the important liturgical sacraments such as the entrance into the church, the preparation of the Eucharist, and the act of Communion. Usually a gradual from the 13th century contained around 650 hymns. The Gisela codex had a much greater volume. Nearly 1,500 hymns were contained therein in either an abbreviated or completed form.

Gisela – A Great Figure of the Abbey

Numerous depictions of nuns in their habits are recorded in the codex. One of the nuns depicted is explicitly identified as Gisela. Thereby it is verifiable that this was the Westphalian noblewoman Gisela von Kerssenbrock. She was the conductress of the choir in the Cistercian cloister of Marienbrunn. She organized the choir and the soloists, selected pieces for mass several times a day, instructed her fellow sisters in song, oversaw the library and scriptorium of the cloister, and was responsible for the production of musical manuscripts. She had one of the most important positions within the convent and applied herself to this assignment with devotion. The Codex Gisle is her most magnificent and elaborate work of art.

An Exceptional Treasure Trove of Images

As was usual in medieval graduals, the Codex Gisle limits its pictorial decoration to initials. This example is certainly decorated to so great an extent as no other work of its type. The initials were elaborated partly with whole page miniatures, which are upheld in tones of luminous blue and red and are set apart with shimmering gold backgrounds. The choirmistress Gisela impressed her deeply felt beliefs with sensible, ingenious pictures of biblical scenes. The meaning of respective hymns can be understood through the size of the text and the richness of the decoration.

A Significant History

The Codex Gisle is the artistic embodiment of the convent Marienbrunn bei Osnabrück. The gradual was in use for 500 years in one of the first 25 Westphalian nunneries of the Cistercian Order. During the period of secularization, the work came into the possession of the suffragan bishop of Osnabrück Karl Klemens, and is stored in the Diocese Archive of Osnabrück.