Otto von Freising#

Otto von Freising, b. 1112 (?), d. September 22, 1158 Morimond (France), bishop and chronicler, son of the Babenberg Leopold III.; provost of Klosterneuburg around 1126, studied in Paris from 1127, Cistercian monk in Morimond in 1132. Proposed the foundation of Heiligenkreuz monastery, became bishop of Freising in 1138 and participated in the second crusade in 1147. His "Chronik oder Geschichte der zwei Reiche" comprises the world history in 7 volumes, the 8th volume contains a vision of the Last Judgement. The "Gesta Friderici" portray the time of Friedrich Barbarossa between 1152 and 1156, including the transformation of Austria into a duchy; they were continued by Rahewin, Otto´s secretary, until 1158.

Editions: Chronica sive historia de duabus civitatibus, ed. by A. Hofmeister, 1912 (reprint 1984); Gesta Friderici I. imperatoris, ed by G. Waitz, 1912 (reprint 1978); Editions: Chronik oder Geschichte der 2 Reiche (Latin/German), ed. by W. Lammers, 21980; Gesta Friderici (Latin/German), ed. by J. J. Schmale, 31986.

Literature#