Die gelehrte Korrespondenz der Brüder Pez, Text, Regesten, Kommentare; Band 1

By Thomas Wallnig

Book Description

This scholarly work opens a window into the vibrant intellectual world of early 18th-century Benedictine monasticism through the correspondence of two remarkable brothers. Between 1709 and 1715, Bernhard and Hieronymus Pez of Melk Abbey engaged in extensive learned exchanges that stretched across Europe, revealing a sophisticated network of monastic scholars dedicated to preserving and understanding their spiritual heritage.

The brothers embarked on an ambitious project to document the lives and works of Benedictine authors from the 16th to 18th centuries, creating what amounts to a biographical and bibliographical treasure trove of monastic intellectual life. Their letters, written in Latin and presented here with German summaries and detailed commentary, illuminate not only their scholarly pursuits but also the broader culture of learned communication that flourished within European monasteries.

This first volume presents 261 surviving letters alongside records of 211 lost correspondences, offering readers insight into how monastic communities maintained intellectual connections across vast distances. The work includes biographical information on 82 correspondents, revealing the extensive network of scholars, historians, and spiritual thinkers who shaped Benedictine learning during this pivotal period.

For those interested in the intersection of spirituality and scholarship, this collection demonstrates how monastic communities served as centers of learning, preservation, and intellectual exchange that helped shape European thought and spiritual practice.