Notable Chronicle of the Hirsau Abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict

CHRONICLE OF JOHANNES TRITEMIUS.
7
A 4

WHEN AND FROM WHERE THE FIRST MONKS

were introduced to Hirsau, and who was appointed as their

first abbot.

Great religious devotion flourished at Fulda. Rabanus Maurus was the abbot.

After the most noble Count Erlafrid finished this remarkable work, he brought his plan to completion at great expense. He was impatient with delay. He said he desired nothing more than to live to see the day when choirs of monks could be seen praising God in his small estate. He began to think anxiously about where he could find monks of the old way of life for the new monastery he had gloriously founded. He sought those religiously trained according to the rule of the most holy father Benedict The Rule of Saint Benedict is the primary set of guidelines for Western monastic life, focusing on prayer and manual labor.. These monks needed to be very holy in their conduct and capable of training others who would come later. At that time, a great religious spirit flourished in the monastery of Fulda under the rule of Abbot Rabanus Maurus Rabanus Maurus was a famous Carolingian scholar and teacher, known as the "Teacher of Germany.". Its fame had spread throughout all of Europe. The praise and memory of the monks of Fulda were highly valued by Emperors, Kings, and Princes. This was not only because of their holy lives but also because of their incomparable knowledge of the scriptures. At that time, the monks of Fulda were said to be more learned than many others. Because of this, many of them were chosen for the high office of the papacy or bishoprics in various churches.

Erlafrid sends messengers to Fulda. The monks of Fulda. Consultation of the monks of Fulda.

Therefore, after consulting with his associates, Erlafrid sent messengers to Abbot Rabanus of Fulda. He included the instructions of Otgarius, who was then the Archbishop of Mainz. He requested that fifteen monks and an abbot be granted to him to be brought to the monastery he had built. He promised to do everything that seemed necessary for the benefit of the monastic institution according to their judgment. At that time, there were two hundred and seventy religious men in the monastery of Fulda. Most of them were very learned in the Holy Scriptures. When Abbot Rabanus heard the Count's message, he called them together. He explained the instructions of Archbishop Otgarius and the prayers of Erlafrid to them. He asked what they thought of this business according to the rule of our most holy father Benedict. With unanimous consent, they concluded that such a holy desire from the Count should not be rejected. They did not doubt it would please almighty God and hoped it would lead to the salvation of many.

Abbot Lindbertus is sent with the monks. The brothers come to Hirsau.

They chose fifteen brothers to undertake this duty. They placed Abbot Lindbertus in charge of them. He was a venerable old man and the brother of Buno, the abbot of Hersfeld. He was a noble man in the eyes of the world, but much more noble in the eyes of God. In the year of our Lord 838, in the first indiction An indiction was a fifteen-year cycle used in the medieval world for dating and taxation., Abbot Lindbertus came to Hirsau with fifteen monks. He was sent by Abbot Rabanus of Fulda. The most devoted Count Erlafrid received the abbot and the monks sent to him with great joy. He led them into the new monastery with happiness. He provided them with an abundance of life's necessities. From then on, he discussed everything he had planned with their advice.

The body of Saint Aurelius. The assembly of princes at Frankfurt.

At that time, the body of Saint Aurelius was still kept in the chapel of the blessed martyr Nazarius. This was because the church of the monastery had not yet been consecrated. A few months later, so that everything would achieve its desired effect, Count Erlafrid was called to the imperial court at Frankfurt with many other princes. After the business of the empire for which the meeting had been called was finished, he made a request. He spoke to Otgarius, the Archbishop of the church of Mainz, who was present with many other bishops. He invited and convinced him to consecrate the new monastery. How that consecration was performed must be told next.