Johannes von Frankfurt (ca. 1380-1440, esp. 1426-1427)

by Zhao Luyang 赵鲁阳 (See Chinese translation)

The theologian and inquisitor Johannes von Frankfurt (see alternative names) was born around 1380 in Dieburg, Germany near Frankfurt and Main. He studied in Paris and returned to Heidelberg in Germany in 1401 as a Magister Atrium (an academic degree in the middle ages for students who received a liberal arts education). In the University of Heidelberg, he studied and taught theology. He was Dean of the Faculty of Theology from 1413 to 1414. In 1415, he was appointed professor, and made rector of the University of Heidelberg from 1428 to 1429.

From 1410 to 1436, Johannes was geistlicher Rat (clerical advisor) for the Count Palatine and Duke in Bavaria, Rupert III and his son Ludwig III. In 1426 and 1427, Johannes accompanied Ludwig III on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His book Opuscula is an account of this pilgrimage.

Some scholars have suggested that Johannes is the author of the famous Theologia Germanica, a mystical treatise believed to have been written in the late 14th century. This work is considered one of the most important books that bridged the gap between the spirituality of the late Middle Ages and the Reformation in 16th-century Europe. It became famous when Martin Luther (German professor of theology and seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation) printed and published it in 1516. The reasons for the assumption of Johannes’ authorship are similarities between Theologia Germanica’s argumentation and Johannes von Frankfurt’s preaching. However, in fact, the similarities are better explained by shared traditions of argumentation and preaching.

While professor and rector, Johannes on Frankfurt wrote several books, but here the focus will be on the account of his journey to the Holy Land, Opuscula, which is described in detail below.

Opuscula

Opuscula is a record of his journey to the Holy Land in 1426/27. He accompanied Ludwig III von der Pfalz, who lived from 1378 to 1436, and was Count Palatine and Prince-Elector Palatine. The purpose of the journey was to accompany Ludwig III who was receiving his knighthood in Jerusalem.

Johannes and Ludwig III started their journey in Heidelberg and travelled overland to Venice in Italy. In Venice, Ludwig III rented a galley, which was launched on 22 September 1426. They then travelled to the Mediterranean region via Pula in today’s Croatia, the Greek islands of Corfu, Methoni and Rhodes, and Cyprus, to the Holy Land, where a group of 61 men disembarked in Jaffa. They were met by "Saracens" (Arab Muslims) who distributed Venetian coins to the travellers.

It was forbidden to carry weapons and ride horses in the Holy Land. Therefore, the travellers rode on donkeys. Johannes recounted the poor condition of the streets and the complaints of senior officials. On 28 November 1426, the travellers reached Jerusalem. On the same night, they were brought to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where a Franciscan guardian gave them instructions and Ludwig III was dubbed a knight. The travellers visited Jerusalem and its surroundings before they returned by sea on 7 December 1426.

On their return via the sea route, Johannes described their near shipwreck. On 9 January 1427, they disembarked in Venice, where Ludwig III was officially welcomed by the Doge of Venice, the chief magistrate and the leader of the Republic. At the end of January, the they returned via the Princely County of Gorizia (Italy), Salzburg (Austria) and the German cities of Landshut, Augsburg, Ulm, Stuttgart and Maulbronn to Heidelberg, where they arrived on 19 February 1427 and were welcomed with a cheerful greeting.

During his trip, Johannes von Frankfurt asked himself whether people in the European cities who continued to study and practice Christian teachings were more holy than those who lived in the places where Christ lived, but who had turned away from the Christian faith.

Sermones dominicales

Johann von Frankfurt’s Sermones dominicales is a book of evangelical sermons. For example, he preached about St Peter and discussed forgiveness. Generally, he argued that believers should put aside their own will and make room for Jesus Christ.

Zwölf Werke des Heidelberger Theologen und Inquisitors

The compilation of these "Twelve Works on Heidelberg Theologians and Inquisitors" contains sermons and ceremonial speeches, treatises against the Hussites (a Czech proto-Protestant Christian movement that followed the teachings of reformer Jan Hus, ca. 1369-1415), treatises on sales contracts, and a pious reflection on life and death.