Liber Vitae of Corvey Abbey

The Liber Vitae of Corvey Abbey is not only one of the most important medieval historical sources from the German-speaking area, but also a magnificently illuminated treasure of Romanesque book illumination. Libri Vitae or confraternity books contain lists of so-called spiritual brotherhoods and are thus fascinating testimonies to the memorial culture as well as the social and ecclesiastical history of their time of origin. Probably created around 1160, the Liber Vitae of Corvey Abbey first lists on five pages the members of the monastery and benefactors of the abbey who were regularly prayed for. This is followed by a list of the monasteries and their members who were in a spiritual brotherhood with Corvey. The lists are beautifully illuminated in the style of canon tables. They are also preceded by a full-page dedication image lavishly decorated with gold. The book of confraternity is part of a fascinating anthology that also includes a list of the abbots of Corvey and the monks who entered under them for the period between 822 and 1200, a register of deaths, notes on income and copies of deeds, as well as a pontifical.