Hermann of Fritzlar

Hermann von Fritzlar ( Hermannus de Fritschelar; † after 1349 ) was a German mystic of the 14th century. About his life practically nothing is known. The North Hessian town Fritzlar was probably his birth or origin. Probably he was not a priest, but a learned layman. From various clues in the "Book of the Lives of the Saints " one concludes that he had traveled much, not only in Germany but also in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. However, a lot of notice regarding this might already have been found in the sources used by the author of the collection.

The "Book of the Lives of the Saints "

Hermann von Fritzlar is known by a significant, applied in the years 1343-1349 and written in Central German ( Rhine Franconian Hessian ) Language ascetic prose collection, the "Book of the Holy Life" ( reprinted in Franz Pfeiffer German mystics of the fourteenth century ). The collection, in eloquent and lively prose, is preserved in only one manuscript. It contains about 90 legendary stories, and linked with these or they interspersed sermons and reflections on the Holy festivals of the year and for Christmas circle. However, it was not compiled by Hermann himself, but on his behalf, probably from the Dominican Gislher of Slatheim, was the main power in the compilation of the various parts. Main source was an applied after 1323 by Heinrich von Erfurt collection of sermons ( the Legendar has an Erfurt source), but a variety of other books, sermons and theological works was also used. The work is both for the German -language prose narrative literature and the history of German mysticism of importance.

The work seems to be a selection of a much more detailed, compiled around 1340 collection of declarations of the Gospels and Epistles, which was based on the works of the mystics and a liberal and anti- hierarchical spirit embodied.

An earlier work, " The flower of the intuition ," an anonymous of traditional treatise on the mystical " contemplative life " is not obtained.