Breviarium Hallense (Liber ordinarius)

The tradition of writing and decorating books by hand continued well into the 16th century. From 1513 onwards, Margrave Albrecht von Brandenburg (1490-1545) was archbishop of Magde­burg and Mainz and thus the highest ranking spiritual ruler in the Holy Roman Empire. His coat of arms (fol. 10v) crowned by the cardinal’s hat decorated this Liber Ordinarius for the Stifts­kirche St Mauritius and Mary Magda­lene in Halle an der Saale, where the archbishop resided.

The initials GS at the base of the right-hand column refer to Georg Stier­lein, Albrecht’s scribe, who also provided the painted decoration of the manuscript. On the base of the left-hand column, the year 1532 is noted.

As a result of the conflict between Albrecht von Brandenburg and Martin Luther, caused by the trade with indulgences in the bishopric of Magdeburg, Albrecht had to leave Halle in the 1530s and became a forceful opponent the protestant movement.