Ludwig von Eyb the Younger. History and Deeds of Wilwolts von Schaumberg. Critical text, edited by Helgard Ulmschneider

• Applicant: Dr. Helgard Ulmschneider
• Subject Area: German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature)
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 354087714

The ‘History and Deeds of Wilwolt von Schaumberg’ (‘GT’) were written by the Franconian knight Ludwig von Eyb the Younger with the active support of his hero Wilwolt von Schaumberg. It is the most outstanding (auto)biography of a German nobleman of the time – composed as an example for the young nobility. Outlined in four books it covers the period from 1468 to 1505. The multifaceted life of Wilwolt on the European stage is comprehensively sketched in very vivid language and with many culturally important details: his aristocratic upbringing, adventures and tournament fighting, romantic ‘minne’-service, and particularly his long career as an outstanding warlord and diplomat. Book three and four contain the best German description of the world-historical struggles in the Netherlands in the age of Maximilian I. Many literary allusions document Eyb’s literary knowledge. The text, with planned illustrations, had originally been intended for print, which never was realized.The ‘GT’ were first edited in the seldom available print by Adelbert von Keller in 1859, based on one single known manuscript (Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek Cod 55.2 Aug. 2o) and without commentary. Since Eduard Beintker’s prove 1883, that Staatsarchiv Nürnberg, Nürnberger Hs. Nr. 423 was in fact the original autor-related manuscript, which had served as a direct model to the Wolfenbüttel codex, a new edition was considered necessary. This new edition contains the critical text, provides linguistic, literature and bibliographic references, maps, family trees and illustrations.The edition is preceded by an introduction, which also includes the biographical backgrounds of the authors. Comments along the margins facilitate the reading of the main text body.

• DFG Programme: Publication Grants