91B0FBB4-04A9-D5D7-16F0F3976AA697ED
C9A22247-E776-B892-2D807E7555171534
John Eldevik.

An essay by Professor of History John Eldevik, "(Re)Visions of the World: Prester John in Twelfth-Century Bavaria," was published this month in the edited volume Visions of Medieval History in North America and Europe: Studies on Cultural Identity and Power (Brepols).

The article discusses the circulation of the earliest versions of the so-called Letter of Prester John, a forged document in which a fabulously wealthy Christian ruler in Asia describes the marvels and wonders of his realm to the Byzantine emperor, with an eye toward understanding how medieval copyists integrated the text into pre-existing manuscript books.

While the Letter has long been viewed as a piece of political propaganda crafted by an author, or authors, in the circle of German emperor Frederick Barbarossa in the mid-twelfth century, Eldevik uses this manuscript-based methodology to propose an alternate context for its origins, namely in a south German monastery whose monks were contemplating not only contemporary royal politics but everything from history, to the Crusades and the apocalypse.

Related news

Hamilton College Chapel In Summer

From Putin to Cleopatra - May 2023 News

May’s news highlights ranged from Russian President Putin’s future to the College’s Commencement. Links are provided, but some may require subscriptions to access content. Please contact Vige Barrie if you cannot open a link or do not have a subscription.

Mackenzie Cooley

Cooley Publishes Op-ed on Race and Breeding

“For Derby Day, a Note of Caution About Horses and ‘Races,’” by Assistant Professor of History Mackenzie Cooley, was published by the History News Network in advance of May’s Kentucky Derby.

The $400 million campaign to provide students with a life-altering education.

Learn More About the Campaign

Site Search