Thursday, 1st June 2023
Two New Translations of the Writings of Abbot Trithemius by Fr Robert
New Norcia’s Fr Robert has two new translations recently published, both works by Abbot Johannes Trithemius.
Trithemius was an interesting and complex character, and a leading figure in the 16th century German Church. As a young man, he fled from an abusive, violent, and repressive home, in search of knowledge, advancement, and a better life. And it happened that, as a penniless and homeless vagabond, he was caught one night in a bitter snowstorm in a dark and desolate forest. He saw the warm lights of a Benedictine monastery nearby, and so sought refuge therein. At once he fell passionately in love with the monastic atmosphere of silence, study and solitude. He soon become a monk, making his profession on his 20th birthday.
Almost miraculously, within less than a year of his entering the monastery as a homeless pauper, he was elected abbot of the community. And immediately thereafter, he became a trusted advisor and confidant to the Holy Roman Emperor, and many of the German nobility, and so was one of the most influential figures in all of Europe, revered both for his learning and his prudence.
Although Trithemius is well-known as an author, very few of his works have been translated into English. Fr Robert has recently translated his Illustrious Authors of the Order of St Benedict, for Wipf and Stock (USA). This is a classic and authoritative reference work, presenting fascinating and sometimes picturesque details of the lives and works of some 143 significant Benedictine authors, from about AD 500 until 1500. The other work is entitled Magical Amulets of the Ancients Sages, published by Hadean Press (UK). This volume presents various obscure late Medieval texts (diligently collected and copied by Trithemius) which describe the spiritual powers of various stones, crystals and amulets.
Included also in this publication is Trithemius’ curious Bibliotheca Necromantica, in which he carefully reviews and appraises the various ‘underground’ books on magic and the occult arts in circulation in his times, which he had meticulously collected for his monastery’s own library.
Both works may be obtained through New Norcia’s giftshop and webshop.