Andreas Lang: Chronicle of the abbots of Michelsberg and bishops of Bamberg

In the 1470s, the Benedictine monastery of Michelsberg underwent a spiritual renewal according to the prescriptions of the Bursfelde reform movement. One of the results was an incease in book production. The monastery’s scriptorium was re-established, the library expanded and a bindery set up. The monks also experimented with producing printed books.

The catalogue of the abbots of Michelsberg reflects the historio­graphical inter­ests and literary skills of the eminent abbot Andreas Lang (r. 1483-1502). At considerable length, he reports the expenses incurred in buying land, erecting buildings, purchasing liturgical objects and books during his own period of office. Later additions continue the catalogue up to the mid-16th century.

(fol. 54v)