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Concept
Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum
Summary
Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum (Medieval Latin for "Deeds of the Bishops of Hamburg") is a historical treatise written between 1073 and 1076 by Adam of Bremen, who made additions (scholia) to the text until his death (possibly 1081; before 1085).
It is one of the most important sources of the medieval history of Northern Europe, and the oldest textual source reporting the discovery of coastal North America.
It covers the entire period known as the Viking Age, from the foundation of the bishopric under Willehad in 788 until the rule of prince-bishop Adalbert in Adam's own time (1043–1072).
The text focuses on the history of the Hamburg-Bremen diocese and its bishops. As the bishops had jurisdiction over the missions to Scandinavia, it also gives a report of the Norse paganism of the period.
The existence of the work was forgotten in the later medieval period, until it was re-discovered in the late 16th century in the library of Sorø Abbey, Denmark.
The treatise consist of the following parts:
an introduction, addressed to bishop Liemar
Book 1: History of the bishopric of Bremen and (after 845) Hamburg-Bremen (788–940)
Book 2: History of the archbishopric Hamburg-Bremen (940–1045)
Book 3: Biography of archbishop Adalbert of Hamburg (r. 1043–1072)
Book 4: Descriptio insularum aquilonis: Geographical description of Northern Europe
M. Adami epilogus ad Liemarum episcopum: A dedication to bishop Liemar in hexameters
The text is one of the most important sources of Northern German and Scandinavian history and geography in the Viking Age and the beginning High Middle Ages. It covers the relations between Saxons, Wends (West Slavs) and Danes (Vikings). The third book is focused on the biography of archbishop Adalbert of Hamburg.
Adam based his works in part on Einhard, Cassiodorus, and other earlier historians, consulting the library of the church of Bremen. The text as presented to bishop Liemar was completed in 1075/1076.
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