This codex contains the order of worship of the Bamberg Collegiate Foundation St. Stephan, which was founded in 1020, i.e. 1000 years ago.
In 1863, the manuscript from the estate of the art collector Martin Joseph von Reider came into the possession of the ‘Historischer Verein’.
The illustration shows the holy bishop Nicholas accompanied by two Acolytes. It is the only contemporary pictorial representation of a 'child bishop'.
The text explains that the collegiate students elected the child bishop a week before the feast of St. Nicholas. He stayed in office until December 28th (Innocent Children's Day).
The child bishop and his companions wear dignified vestments. Their books make it clear that they played a leading role in singing the chants.
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