The recovered manuscript of the German text of the legend of Barlaam and Josaphat

Abstract

The author in his provenance research tries to reconstruct the complicated history of the manuscript including the German poetical alteration of the legend of Barlaam and Josaphat by Rudolf von Ems (born probably approx. 1200), recognized as one of the most important works in the history of German literature. The codex including this text, originating from the first half of the 14^th century, is currently stored in the National Library of Poland in Warsaw (sign. Akc. 8711). The author settled that this book belonged to the university library in Königsberg before World War II, and after that, it was moved to the university library in Toruń, and reported missing there in 1960. Seven years later the codex was purchased by the National Library of Poland from a private person. Within these seven years in the book "steps were taken to eliminate any provenance marks pointing to either Königsberg or Toruń". Previous provenances settled by the Author: in the 15^th century the codex could have belonged to a monastery book collection (Teutonic commandry in Ostróda or Elbląg); in the first half of the 16^th century the book was in Tapiawa (Germ. Tapiau, Duchy of Prussia), where the main library and archive of the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem were located; since the mid-16^th century in the duke's library in Königsberg, and next in the university library in Königsberg. The other part of the article includes description of the manuscript contents.