Wernher Schodoler

Swiss Chronicle of Wernher Schodoler (Die Eidgenossische Chronik Des Wernher Schodoler) Fine Facsimile Illuminated Edition of 16th Century

      Faksimile Verlag Luzern. New Swiss Chronicle of Wernher Schodoler, 16th century-Leopold-Sophien-Bibliothek, Überlingen, MS 62 (Bd.1); Stadtarchiv Bremgarten, Ba. Nr.2 (Bd.2); Aargauische Kantonsbibliothek, Aarau, MS. Bibl. Zurl. Fol. A Classical Work on the History of Switzerland A Landmark in Swiss Historiography The Swiss Chronicle of Wernher Schodoler ranks among the most important Swiss Illuminated Chronicles. It is composed of three volumes and, due to its illustrations, is considered an important document of the time preceeding the battle of Marignan. While the great chronicles of the time still continued in the medieval tradition, Schodoler's chronicle paved the way for a new epoch: the Renaissance. For hitherto unknown reasons, each of the three volumes had a completely different destiny. The reproduction in a facsimile edition now unites the three volumes in a single work. The Annalist Wernher Schodoler Wernher Schodoler was born in 1490 at Bremgarten on the Reuss in Switzerland, home town of his ancestors for centuries. The annalist and his family ranked among the most prestigious citizens of the town. His grandfather and father had been directing the affairs of the town as mayors. In the first decade of the 16th century, Schodoler worked as a clerk in the chancellery of Bern where he gained insights into the politics of this capital city of the Swiss Confederation and also into the famous chronicles preserved there. Back in his home town, Schodoler started a successful career. He held the highest positions in Bremgarten up to his tragic death in 1541 when he died from the plague. We do not know what motivated the busy town clerk, who even participated in several war campaigns, to write such a comprehensive chronicle on his own initiative. The fact that it is the only chronicle from a subdued area makes it an all the more important document. Based on Old Recounts of an Eventful History Most of Schodoler's work is based on other contemporary chronicles, among them the Official...