Philosophical text in the context of medieval book culture. A case study: the anonymous «Treatise on the Eucharist»
Abstract
This article focuses on an anonymous 14th-century German-language treatise on the Eucharist within the framework of late medieval book culture. It pays particular attention to the manuscript tradition, shedding light on how the text was transmitted and received in a period marked by the widespread use of manuscript compilations. The study shows that in several manuscripts the treatise appears alongside the works of Meister Eckhart, highlighting its connection to German philosophical mysticism. It also identifies the Tegernsee Monastery as a key center for the reception and dissemination of the text, underscoring its role as an important intellectual hub in southern Germany. This research clarifies the historical and philosophical context of the treatise and situates it within the spiritual and intellectual life of late medieval Germany.