Freising Manuscripts (Traditionsbücher, cartularies, urbaria and accounting books)

back to Manuscripts (Books kept by Authorities and Deeds) from the Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv

Manuscripts

A "Traditionsbuch" (tradition book) is a register book of a monastery or of a bishopric (prince-bishopric), primarily used in the region of southern Germany and the Alps, in which all property acquired by this institution was entered in the form of "Traditionsnotizen" (tradition notes). Traditionsbücher serve to document property ownership and transactions of goods, but also the transfer of persons to the ecclesiastical institutions (so-called liber censualium). Extensive collections of copies of deeds have been known since the early middle ages, e.g. the Traditionsbücher of the bishops of Freising.

Later on, further official register books (cartularies, urbaria) were introduced. The Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv (Bavaria Main Public Archives) holds numerous valuable medieval Traditionsbücher. The majority of the collections was acquired by the state during the secularisation in the 19th century and today doubtlessly forms part of the most important sources on the early and high medieval history of Old Bavaria. The digitisation of the Traditionsbücher was started in 2006. A selection of the most important items is made available in digital form here.

Description of the Project

"Freising Manuscripts" ist a project of the Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv and the Bayerische Landesbibliothek Online in cooperation with Institut für Österreichische Geschichtsforschung.

Zuletzt aktualisiert: 29. August 2011