Niederaltaich (rural district Deggendorf, Niederbayern) is situated at the banks of Danube oxbow lakes, just across the former palatinate Osterhofen. The monastery Niederaltaich was probably found by the Bavarian duke Odilo in 741. From 1242 till1273 Hermann von Niederaltaich acted there as abbot. He is a distinguished historian of the Middle-Ages.
| 1200/1201 | Hermann was born. Probably brought up and educated in the Benedictine monastery Niederaltaich, he joined the monastery as a monk. As custos of the church he collected and studied the deeds of his monastery. In important affairs he is sent by Abbot Ditmar (1232-42) to the Emperor to Verona and twice to Rome. |
| 1242-1773 | Hermann became abbot of monastery Niederaltaich. With success he went after the economic, edificial and administrative affairs and the monastery gardens of his and the neighbor monasteries. The support and advancement of the Bavarian dukes allowed him to improve the monastery` s economic situation a lot. Concerning history his main work are the Annals, which follow up Ekkehard von Aura, Otto von Freising and other sources. Hermann wrote the last part of the Annals from 1250 on pretty simultaneously with the events. His intention was to analyze the legal position of Niederaltaich, the history of the Wittelsbacher and other (for the monastery) significant dynasties and the Bavarian tradition. From less importance are the History of the Empire and the History of the Popes. |
| 12.3. 1273 | After he reigned for 30 years, 4 months and 16 days, Hermann was exhausted from senility and plight. He abandoned his charge as abbot. His successor became Herr Albin. Suffering from illness and diseases Hermann lived two more years in the monastery. |
| 31.7. 1275 | Hermann von Niederaltaich died. |
It is reported that Hermann von Niederaltaich
was of great godliness and wisdom. He dealed with every person in the manner
of special lovingness and charity.
Hermann started a new heyday for the monastery Niederaltaich. His sense for
administration and calculation is especially shown in his notes ("De rebus
suis gestis") which inform about his notable building projects. The Annals,
which are about the abstract history, received considerable promulgation. They
belong to the most important sources of the 13th century. Hermann von Niederaltaich
indicated the increasing awareness of Bavarian Tradition in the late Middle-Ages.
worked out
and tranlated by: Simone Kuhnt
(24.5.2005)