Rahewin

Rahewin (* unknown; † before 1177 ) was the scribe and notary of Bishop Otto of Freising and is mainly known for his continuation of Otto Friedrich's deeds.

Life and work

About his origins and youth is not much known, it may came from Freising, which he calls patria mea. In 1144 he was first mentioned as cartularius ( deed writer ) of Bishop Otto of Freising. Other documents call him capellanus and notarius, from 1156 also canonicus ( canon ) of the Freising Cathedral. He is mentioned in many documents as a scribe or witness, the different spellings of his name occur: Ragewinus, Radevicus, Reguinus, Rachwynus and many others.

After Otto's dictation Rahewin wrote the Chronica sive Historia de duabus civitatibus down and handed it, together with Abbot Rapoto of Weihenstephan in 1157 the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. He accompanied Otto on trips and was at his death in the Cistercian abbey Mori Moon in September 1158 present. Otto commissioned Rahewin, his unfinished work on the deeds of Emperor Frederick, to end the Gesta Fredereci seu Cronica. Probably brought Rahewin the emperor the news of the death of Otto, the emperor confirmed the order.

Rahewin wrote book III and IV of the deeds of Frederick, which he completed in 1160. He describes events in the period of August 1157 ( Frederick campaign against Poland ) to February 1160 ( Synod of Pavia, in the schism between Pope Alexander III. Antipope Victor and should be settled IV ).

He wrote also praepositum Latin poems, including a several hundred verses comprehensive version of the prosaic Theophilus legend of Paul the Deacon in rhyming hexameters and a Flosculus Rahewini adH. Two grave inscriptions for gasoline are included in the deeds of Frederick, one in Vagantenstrophen and the other in rhyming hexameters.

After 1160 there are only sparse news about Rahewin. Two certificates for the monastery Schaeftlarn of 1168 and 1170 call him provost of St. Veit. 1177 Konrad is an handed down as provost of St. Veit, so Rahewin probably died before.