Nibelungenlied und die Klage

Nibelungenlied

Since 2001, this gem of linguistic and literary history has been kept in the Fürstlich Fürstenbergischen Hofbibliothek. The manuscript probably originates from the second quarter of the 13th century, presumably ca. 1230. This oldest transcript of the Nibelungenlied originates **from the Bavarian-Alemannic area and was written down in the language used in Tirol or Voralberg.

A Spectacular Discovery

The precious manuscript was forgotten for a long time and was first rediscovered in the 18th century. This sensational rediscovery aroused great scholarly and national enthusiasm. From the library of the dukes of Hohenems, the location of the spectacular find, the manuscript finally came into the possession of the Baron of Laßberg in 1816. After his death, the holdings joined the library of the princes of Fürstenberg, the Hofbibliothek Donaueshingen.

A Unique Textual Testimony

The famous Manuscript C contains the text of the Nibelungenlied and the Klage. In 2,439 strophes, the 39 ‘Aventiures’ of the Nibelungenlied are sung. The Klage is comprised of 4,427 verses. Among the three surviving 13th century manuscripts, Manuscript C takes on a special position as the oldest and most comprehensive, and is considered today to be the reference manuscript, upon which the field of research bases itself. As a sign of its significance, the Hohenems-Donauschinger manuscript of the Nibelungenlied has been raised to the status of a UNESCO Memory of the World Document.

“Uns ist in alten mæren, wunders vil geseit…”

Hiding behind the unadorned 114-page manuscript, bound in simple leather, is a true national epic, a tragic and exciting story of power and vengeance, love and hate. The beginning of the text is adorned with a beautifully colorful initial and the coat of arms of the Baron of Laßberg. The following text is continuously interfused with great red letters and colorful initials. Thus, the historical substance of the text comes entirely come into its own.