the decline of roman antiquity - stiftsbezirk · 2019-06-07 · objekttexte the decline of roman...

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Objekttexte The decline of Roman Antiquity Emperor Vespasian Gold coin, AD 74 Vespasian (AD 9–79, Emperor from AD 69) probably spent part of his youth in Aventicum (present-day Avenches in the Canton of Vaud). In AD 70, he raised Aventicum to the rank of a colony. The previously insignificant town became a regional centre and by AD 200 its population had grown to 20,000. The saying “Pecunia non olet” (money does not stink) goes back to Vespasian. He levied a tax on the latrines, from which urine was collected for tanning. This is the only gold imperial coin in the collection of the Abbey Library. It was found by peat diggers in Rüti, near Rapperswil. Rome – AD 74 – gold Found: in Rüti, near Rapperswil Obverse: Head of Vespasian, IMPCAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Reverse: Fortuna on a pedestal with oar and cornucopia, FORTVNA AVGVST St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 79, No. 6 !6

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The decline of Roman AntiquityEmperor Vespasian Gold coin, AD 74

Vespasian (AD 9–79, Emperor from AD 69) probably spent part of his youth inAventicum (present-day Avenches in the Canton of Vaud).In AD 70, he raised Aventicum to the rank of a colony. The previouslyinsignificant town became a regional centre and by AD 200 its population hadgrown to 20,000.The saying “Pecunia non olet” (money does not stink) goes back to Vespasian.He levied a tax on the latrines, from which urine was collected for tanning.This is the only gold imperial coin in the collection of the Abbey Library. Itwas found by peat diggers in Rüti, near Rapperswil.Rome – AD 74 – gold

Found: in Rüti, near Rapperswil

Obverse: Head of Vespasian, IMPCAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Reverse: Fortuna on a pedestal with oar and cornucopia,

FORTVNA AVGVST

St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 79, No. 6!6

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The decline of Roman AntiquityEmperor Hadrian Bronze coin, AD 119–122

It was during the rule of Hadrian

(AD 76–138, Emperor from AD 117) that the Roman Empire reached its zenith.In AD 122 he had Hadrian’s Wall (named after him) built in Britain. This borderfortification marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.He fought comparatively few wars and was more concerned with thedevelopment of the empire’s infrastructure.For example, he built roads and aqueducts.Hadrian was highly educated. He was also interested in music, painting,poetry, mathematics, medicine and astronomy.Rome – AD 119–122 – bronze (orichalcum)

Obverse: Head of Hadrian, IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG Reverse: Felicitas with caduceus and cornucopia,

PONT MAX TR POT COS III / S C

St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 30, No. 17!15

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The decline of Roman AntiquityConstantine the GreatBronze coin, AD 305–317

Constantine the Great (c. AD 280–337, Emperor from AD 306) permittedChristians living in the Roman Empire to practise their religion freely.According to legend, Constantine saw a cross of light the night before theBattle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312, and he read the words:“In this sign you will conquer”.When Constantine actually won the battle,he attributed the victory to the God of the Christians, whose religious symbolis the cross.However, Constantine always had the Roman sun god Sol minted on his coins.Here, the god is even called the “companion” of the emperor.Rome? – AD 305–317 – bronze

Obverse: Head of Constantine, IMPCONSTANTINVS PF AVGReverse: Sol with globe and raised hand, SOLI INVICTO COMITISt Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 62, No. 17!24

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The decline of Roman AntiquityFibula (brooch) from the area around the fort at Arbon

Post AD 350Roman soldiers and officials fastened their cloaks with fibulas like this one. Atthe same time, these brooches served as insignia of rank.This is a crossbow brooch with onion-shaped knobs. However, the middleknob is missing.Seen from the front, the fibula appearsto be cross-shaped. For this reason, such brooches have sometimes beenassumed to be Christian symbols.If this assumption is correct, this fibula would be one of the earliest artefactsto attest to the presence of Christianity in Switzerland.Post AD 350 – bronze with traces of gold plating

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www.archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 2014.090.9.1!33

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The decline of Roman AntiquityRim fragment of a mortarium from the area around the fort at ArbonAD 300/400The Romans used this type of vessel to prepare certain recipes from theMediterranean region.Such vessels were in common use in the territory of present-day Switzerlanduntil the withdrawal of the Roman troops in AD 401.They bear witness to a Mediterranean lifestyle which the Romans stationednorth of the Alps were not willing to abandon.By the time Gallus stayed in Arbon in the7th century, recipes and food imports from the south were a thing of the past.AD 300/400 – pottery

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www.archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1961.031_62.473!42

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The decline of Roman AntiquityTerra sigillata fragment from the area around the fort at Arbon

AD 300/400Terra sigillata is the name given to high-quality Roman tableware with relief decoration and a bright red slip.

This fragment has a delicate roller-stamped decoration. It was probablymanufactured in the Moselle region of Germany.Whether such vessels were still in use in Gallus’s time is a matter ofspeculation. In any case, the mixed Romano-Germanic population certainlyproduced their own pottery.Moselle region (?) – AD 300/400 – pottery

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www.archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1961.031_3248!51

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The decline of Roman AntiquityThe Migration PeriodFrom the 4th to the 6th centuries, Germanic tribes migrated across largeparts of Europe.The so-called Migration Period led to the decline of ancient culture.After the withdrawal of the Roman troopsin 401 from the region that is now Switzerland, the Gallo-Roman populationbegan to mix with the Germanic tribes.In the west, the Burgundians adopted Latin, whereas in the east the Alemanniretained their mother tongue. This gave rise to the different language regionsin present-day Switzerland (western Switzerland: French; eastern Switzerland:German).Through the migration of peoples, Roman Christianity was eclipsed orsuppressed by Germanic cult forms.!64

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The decline of Roman AntiquityFragment of a flue tile with traces of soot from the area around the fort atArbonAD 300/400

This box-flue tile (“tubulus”) came from a Roman public bath complex(“thermae”).Roman baths comprised several rooms: the hot bath (“caldarium”), the warmroom (“tepidarium”) and the cold pool (“frigidarium”).Tiles like this fragment were used in practically identical form in bathsthroughout the Roman Empire.They channelled off fumes and heated the walls with a supply of warm air. Infortified towns like Arbon, neither the occupying army nor the civilpopulation were willing to forgo the pleasure of bathing.AD 300/400 – tile

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www.archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1986.001.23.100!69

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The legacy of the monasteriesThe Rule of St Benedict

The most historically significant transcription C. 820

Charlemagne introduced the Benedictine Rule in all the monasteries of hisempire. For this, it was necessary to disseminate a reliable standard text of theRule.Charlemagne believed Benedict’s original copy to be in Montecassino, so hehad the Rule transcribed there and declared this copy to be the standard textthat should be adopted by all the monasteries.In 817, two of the monks at the Abbey of Reichenau transcribedCharlemagne’s standard copy.They made critical annotations of variants from another manuscript in themargins.This text was copied again at St Gall. Since all the older manuscripts havebeen lost, the St Gall codex is today the most historically significanttranscription of the Benedictine Rule.St Gall – c. 820 – parchment – 272 pages

The scribblings in the margin date from the 16th century St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 914!79

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The legacy of the monasteriesThe Rule of St Benedict in the chapter office book1542/1543

The Abbey of St Gall followed the Benedictine Rule for over a thousand years:from 747 until the dissolution of the abbey in 1805.Over the years, the Rule was transcribedseveral times. Here it is part of aso-called chapter office book. Every morning,a monk would read out a chapter from this book.This manuscript was written by the cathedral organist and calligrapherFridolin Sicherin 1542/1543. Abbot Diethelm Blarer (ruled 1530– 1564) had commissionedhim with this task.Diethelm Blarer’s family coat of arms, a red cock, can be seen at the beginningof the text in an initial drawn in gold ink.St Gall (Fridolin Sicher) – 1542/1543 – parchment – 268 pagesTwo initials drawn in gold ink

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 452!88

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The legacy of the monasteriesOvid’s “Metamorphoses”

with many comments in the margins 1100/1150The “Metamorphoses” of the Roman poet Ovid († A.D. 17) was among theancient works read by pupils at the monastic school.Ovid explains the world through myths:

15 books written in verse describe howgods and humans are transformed into animals, plants or stars.This manuscript was used in lessons at the school. For several centuries,teachers or students added comments in the margins and between the lines.There is other evidence that this wasa much-used manuscript: the parchment is very worn, particularly at thecorners.St Gall (?) – 1100/1150 – parchment – 112 pages

Page 3 bears a small map of the world with climate zones; page 112mentions an earthquake that took place in 1298St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 866!98

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The legacy of the monasteriesA compendium of medical texts 850/900

This manuscript contains a miscellany of writings. In all, there are 39 medicaltexts dating from Antiquity.One of these is a collection of recipes for remedies, classified according toarea of application from head to toe. This enabled people to find the rightremedy for every ailment.Another text informs us of the healing properties of different plants. TheMandragora (mandrake) is even depicted in a small drawing.Several texts are attributed to famous physicians of Greek Antiquity, such asHippocrates. One is even said to come from the god Asclepius himself.Northern Italy (?) – 850/900 – parchment – 500 pages A pen and ink drawing of a mandrake

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 751!107

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The legacy of the monasteries“Leges”

Tribal laws of the Visigoths, the Franks and the Alemanni, 793In 793, the scribe Wandalgarius compiled a manuscript containing three setsof tribal laws, so-called “Leges”.He wrote down the Roman law governing the Visigothic Kingdom (“LexRomana Visigothorum”) as well as the tribal laws of the Franks and theAlemanni (“Lex Salica” and “Lex Alamannorum”).This manuscript is the oldest book in the Abbey Library bearing an exact date.We even know that Wandalgarius wrote a good 100 pages in only three days.The manuscript contains some remarkable fanciful initials, often in the formof animals and drawn partly with the aid of a compass. One of the pages bearsa drawing of a lawmaker.Burgundy (?) – 793 – parchment– 342 pagesContains numerous initials

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 731!116

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Irish missionGallus, the Irishman

at the beginning of the story of St GallThe story of the Abbey of St Gall and the city of St Gallen begins with theIrish monk Gallus.He was a travelling companion of the well-known Irish missionaryColumbanus of Luxeuil († 615).In Bregenz, Gallus left the group in disagreement with his companions.Journeying via Arbon, he reached the Steinach Valley in 612 and founded ahermitage not far from here. A first community of monks soon grew uparound him.In time, this community developed into the Abbey of St. Gall and, later, thecity of St. Gallen. Gallus laid an important foundation for the establishment ofnew ecclesiastical and political structures in the region of Lake Constance.Atelier Nyffenegger, Flurlingen 2019 St Gall, Abbey Library!125

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Irish missionThe Irish Gospel Book of St Gall One of the most beautiful examples of Irishbook artC. 780

This manuscript containing the four Gospels is adorned with impressive Irishilluminations.It was probably written at the monastery of Lorrha in the Midlands region ofIreland in about 780 and brought to the Abbey of St Gall around 850.The volume contains twelve full-page illustrations of high quality. This makesit one of the most beautiful Irish manuscripts to have been preserved.Stylistically, at least two different artists can be distinguished. The evangelistsare depicted with a spiritual expression and are reminiscent of Byzantineicons.Irish Midlands – c. 780 – parchment – 268 pages 12 full-page illustrations

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 51!134

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Old High GermanThe “Abrogans”

Latin – Old High German glossaryC. 790

The so-called “Abrogans” is a Latin – Old High German dictionary. Its namederives from its first entry, “abrogans” (humble).This glossary goes back to an alphabetically arranged Latin dictionary ofsynonyms. The Latin word pairs were later translated into Old High German.In the “Abrogans” Latin words alternate with Old High German expressions.This little book contains over 3,200 different words inOld High German.On the last pages we find the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed in Old HighGerman. These are the oldest German versions of these texts.South-west Germany – c. 790 –parchment – 323 pages Several fish initials

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 911!144

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Old High German“Vocabularius sancti Galli”

Manuscript compilation with glossaries 750/800

This little book was intended for private use. Amongst other things, itcontains aLatin – Old High German dictionary.In the Baroque period, it was mistakenly assumed that this book oncebelonged to Saint Gall – hence the name “Dictionary of Saint Gall”.A specialised glossary with around 400 terms provides a basic vocabulary,arranged by theme, not unlike today’s modern language guidesfor tourists.The subjects covered include:

plants, animals and humans; parts of the body and diseases; agriculture, roadsand housing; the sky, weather and seasons.Germany (?) – 750/800 – parchment – 206 pagesRough parchment of poor quality

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 913!153

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Charlemagne (747–814)A book cover made of two ivory tablets Front coverLate 8th centuryIt is possible that Emperor Charlemagne was presented with a magnificentivory diptych on the occasion of his coronation in Rome in 800.According to the chronicler Ekkehart IV(† c. 1060) the ivory tablets were once owned by Charlemagne. ArchbishopHatto of Mainz is said to have entrusted them to the Abbot of St Gall.Originally, the two tablets formed a diptych. Judging by its size, it canprobably be counted among the consular diptychs of the 5th century.The tablets were exquisitely carved in the 8th century. The front side shows astrongly undercut pattern of rosettes.Late 8th century – ivory, mounted on a wooden cover of later origin St John’sGospelSt Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 60!163

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Charlemagne (747–814)A book cover made of two ivory tablets Back coverLate 8th centuryBears, lions and leopards attack their prey.This relief was probably carved as a coronation gift for Emperor Charlemagne.It depicts pairs of vine leaves, alternating with pairs of fighting animals.In the top panel, bears are attacking bulls. In the middle, lions are killing hindsand, in the bottom panel, leopards are overpowering gazelles.These two tablets are among the finest Carolingian ivory carvings. Tuotiloused them as a model for his cover of the Evangelium Longum.Late 8th century – ivory, mounted on a wooden cover of later origin St John’sGospelSt Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 60!172

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Charlemagne (747–814)Alcuin’s BibleA complete Bible in large format from the Abbey of St Martin in Tours

C. 800Under Alcuin’s leadership, the Abbey of St Martin in Tours became theleading centre of Bible production.The Anglo-Saxon scholar improved the Bible texts and had Bibles produced inseries at the scriptorium in Tours.For the first time, Alcuin’s Bibles,as they were called, brought together all the books of the Bible in one largevolume.The copy on display came to the Abbey of St Gall around the mid-9th centuryat the latest,where it was intensively studied and annotated.Abbey of St Martin in Tours – c. 800 – parchment – 840 pages Almost 19.5 kgSt Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 75!181

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The Abbey Plan and Gozbert’s ChurchThe Abbey Plan of St Gall, c. 825The most important construction plan dating from the Middle Ages showsthe buildings of a Carolingian imperial monastery and their differentfunctions.Around 825, Abbot Gozbert of St Gall was planning to build a new monastery.He sought advicefrom the monks at the monastery on the islandof Reichenau.The plan comprises 45 buildings, 5 gardens and 334 annotations. It is not drawn to scale and no monastery was ever built

following it exactly. However, it does provide us with a concept for the layoutof the different types of building.For the first time in the Middle Ages, the floor plan shows a church, a cloister,a hospital, a school,

a hostel, a kitchen, a bakery and a wine cellar,

as well as stables and workshops.The original Abbey Plan can be seen in the exhibition room in the Klosterhofas part of the exhibition “The miracle of transmission”.Abbey of Reichenau – c. 825 – parchment St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang.1092!191

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The Abbey Plan and Gozbert’s ChurchModel of the church shown on the Abbey PlanWe see a basilica with a crypt, choir, altars and rood screens.This three-dimensional model is based on the church shown on the AbbeyPlan and the few surviving examples of Carolingian monastic architecture.It is easy to identify the crypt with the grave of St Gall, the high altar andchoir above, and the layout of the other altars and their screens.However, the design of most of the other buildings shown on the Abbey Planremains unknown.Model by Carl Bertil Lund, Stockton, California, according to the design ofWalter Horn / Ernest Born – 1974/1982!200

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Evangelium LongumThe monk Tuotilo

Front cover of the Evangelium LongumTuotilo carved a relief depicting Christ

as ruler over heaven and earth on the largest ivory tablet known fromAntiquity.The middle panel on the ivory tablet shows Christ between Alpha and Omega(the beginning and end of the world).In the corners, the four evangelists sit

at their desks, accompanied by their symbols: John (eagle) and Matthew(angel) at the top, and Mark (lion) and Luke (bull) at the bottom.Above Christ, the sun and moon are depicted holding torches. Below arerepresentations of water (amphora) and earth (cornucopia).C. 895 – ivory, hammered gold, precious and semi-precious stones

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 53, front cover !210

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Evangelium LongumThe monk Tuotilo

Back cover of the Evangelium LongumThe oldest depiction of St Gall shows that, as a saint, he was not even afraid ofa bear.The lower panel depicts his legendary encounter with the bear. At Gallus’scommand, the animal brings him firewood. In return, the saint gives the beara loaf of bread.His companion Hiltibod is lying on the ground, pretending to be asleep, but infact he is watching the scene very closely. Another interesting feature is thecross in the middle, on which hangs Gallus’s reliquary bag.The middle panel shows the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Mary has raisedher arms in prayer. Two angels, one on either side, guide her to heaven.C. 895 – ivory – hammered gold

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 53, back cover !219

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Othmar’s CryptThree capitals, a base and fragments of pillars

976–984Abbot Immo (ruled 976–984) installed a crypt in the west of the Carolingianbasilica to house the relics of St Othmar.In 719, Othmar revived the monastic community that had grown up aroundthe tomb of St Gall. As abbot, Othmar came into conflict with the Frankishnobility. He died as a prisoner on the Werd Island near Stein am Rhein.In 769, ten years after Othmar’s death, his remains were brought to St Gall,where he has been venerated as a saint since the 9th century.The Ionian capitals were recovered from Othmar’s Crypt in the west of thecathedral in 1964. Their shape seems simplified compared to classical models.The surfaces arepolished smooth.976–984 – sandstone

Archaeology Department of Canton St Gallen, Inv. 01.065.0023–29!233

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Music and liturgyThe St Gall CantatoriumChants for the Mass

C. 925The St Gall Cantatorium is the oldest existing manuscript with all the chantsfor the Mass notated in St Gall neumes.The Cantatorium’s chants for the Mass are different for each feast. The solochants (Gradual and Alleluia) are entirely notated in neumes, whereas for theother chants only the text incipit is indicated.The large number of addenda made up until the 15th century and the wornpages show that the Cantatorium was in regular use for several centuries.Two Late Antique ivory panels are attached to the front of the binding,depicting the fight of the god Dionysus against the Indians.St Gall – c. 925 – parchment – 178 pages

Oak binding with ivory, bone and gilded copper St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 359!243

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Music and liturgyThe Hartker Antiphonary

Chants for the Liturgy of the Hours C. 990/1000The so-called Hartker Antiphonary is the oldest neume-notated record of themonks’ chants for the Liturgy of the Hours.The monks would assemble for prayer seven times a day and once at night.The psalms they sang were introduced by so-called antiphons.The antiphonary is named after the St Gall monk Hartker († 1011), whobecame a recluse in 980, living in a walled-up cell near the abbey.The first volume contains a depiction of the original legend of Gregorianchant: The Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) whispers the chants into the earof Pope Gregory the Great.St Gall – c. 990/1000 – parchment – 194 pages Four full-page coloured pen and ink drawings St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 390!253

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of arms A symbol of power

1767This coat of arms was used during the abbacy of Beda Angehrn (1767–1796).It comprises the following elements: a shield divided into four quarters, anabbot’s staff, a mitre, a crown, a sword, an ermine mantle and an Order of theAnnunciation.Each of these elements has a specific meaning:The four quarters of the shield refer to the territory of the princely abbey. Theother elements represent the various functions of the prince-abbot.St Gall – 1767 – woodSt Gall, Abbey Library!264

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of arms Abbot’s staffThe crozier (pastoral staff) symbolises the spiritual rule of a bishop or abbot.The staff is usually made of wood and is about 150 cm long. The top takes theform of an ornately decorated crook, often made of gilded silver or copper.According to its shape and function, the crozier is sometimes described as ashepherd’s staff.This symbolises the concept that the faithful are entrusted to their bishop orabbot like sheep to their shepherd.On a coat of arms, the staff of a bishop points outwards and that of an abbotinwards.!272

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of armsMitre

Traditionally, the mitre is the liturgical headgear of bishops.However, abbots can obtain a papal privilege granting them the right to wearthe mitre.The abbot’s mitre is a sign that the abbey is not subject to the authority of thelocal bishop.The mitre is a type of cap made of stiff fabric.It consists of two parts, front and back, which are sewn together, coming to apoint at the top.!280

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of armsPrincely hat

The princely hat signifies that the abbot was also a prince of the empire.The princely hat often adorns the coats of arms of nobles. It has four goldenhalf-arches with a purple hat underneath. The circlet is covered with ermine.At the beginning of the 13th century,the Abbey of St Gall was placed directly under the authority of the HolyRoman Empire. The abbots enjoyed royal privileges.This is why the abbey is often referred to as a “Princely Abbey”.!288

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of arms Bear

The bear is the heraldic animal of the Princely Abbey of St Gall.The presence of the bear on the coat of arms goes back to an episode in thelife of St Gall. When the saint came to the Steinach Valley seeking a place tolive as a hermit, he encountered a bear.He ordered the animal: “Go and get a piece of wood and put it in the fire.”The saint rewarded the bear with a loaf of bread.The bear first appears as the heraldic animal of the princely abbey on a seal in1334.The cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden as well as the citiesof Wil and St Gallen also have the Gallus bear in their coats of arms.The bear in the coat of arms of the city of St Gallen has worn a gold necklacesince 1475. It was given as a gesture of thanks by Emperor Frederick III formilitary assistance against Charles the Bold.!304

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of arms The Lamb of God

The Lamb of God is the emblem on the coat of arms of the Abbey of St Johnin the Thur Valley.The Abbey of St John was founded in the second quarter of the 12th century.It was first mentioned in records in 1152.In 1555, it was incorporated into the Abbey of St Gall. From then on, it was nolonger independent, but a priory belonging to and administered by the Abbeyof St Gall.The Lamb of God points to John the Baptist, the Abbey’s patron, whoannounced the arrival of Jesus with the words:“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)!312

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of armsMastiff

The black mastiff with a yellow spiked collar standing against a goldbackground is the heraldic animal of the county of Toggenburg.In 1468, Abbot Ulrich Rösch (ruled 1463–1491) purchased the county ofToggenburg from the estate of the last Count of Toggenburg for 14,500gulden.Toggenburg was, to a great extent, a unified territory stretching along theupper reaches of the River Thur from Wildhaus to Uzwil.Thanks to this purchase, the area of the abbey’s territory more than doubledin one fell swoop.!320

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The princely abbeyThe prince-abbot’s coat of arms Tree

The fourth quarter of the shield was always occupied by the family crest ofthe ruling abbot.Here we see the family crest of Prince-Abbot Beda Angehrn (1725–1796, ruled1767–1796). He was the last-but-one abbot of theAbbey of St Gall.His coat of arms shows a silver triangle against a blue background. Inside thetriangle there is a green palm tree standing on a green trimount. The triangleis placed between two golden wings. On the blue band at the top there arethree golden stars.!328