Res Gestae Saxonicae Sive Annalium Libri Tres - Manuscripts

Manuscripts

Widukind's Gesta is known from five manuscripts, one of which came to light at the beginning of the twentieth century. The contexts and dates of the various versions which these represent have occasioned much discussion. The work was first completed in 967 or 968, when it was dedicated to Mathilda, the young daughter of Otto I and newly appointed abbess of Quedlinburg. However, in four of five manuscripts, the history was continued down to 973 (adding chapters 70-6 of Book III), whether by Widukind himself or another author. Since its composition must have been a long process, it is likely that the dedication was not originally part of Widukind's design and that he consequently had to make a number of adjustments to suit other needs. Three main recensions called A, B and C have been distinguished:

• Recension A. Ends at Book III, chapter 69, year 967/9.
  • MS A. MS J 38 (Sächsischen Landesbibliothek, Dresden). Date: 1200 x 1220.

• Recension B (continues until 973)
  • MS B 1. MS Addit. 21109 (British Library, London), pp. 138–181. Date: mid-12th century.
  • MS B 2. Lost manuscript, once housed in the Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau. Date: mid-12th century. Its contents can be reconstructed based on a transcript and an official edition, both of the 16th century:
    • B 2a. Clm 4029 (Münchener Staatsbibliothek), paper MS, a transcript written in the 16th century for the humanist Konrad Peutinger.
    • B 2b. Martin Frecht (ed.), Witichindi Saxonis rerum ab Henrico et Ottone I impp. gestarum libri III , the editio princeps published in Basel, 1532. Available for viewing online

• Recension C (also continues until 973)
  • MS C 1. MS no. 298, f. 81-244 (Monte Cassino monastery). Date: 11th century. Transcribed at Benevento, the Lombard duchy south of Rome.
  • MS C 2. MS Lat. oct. 198 (Berliner Staatsbibliothek), f. 1-39'. Date: 13th century. Donated to the library in 1909 and before that time unknown to scholarship.