Johannes von Tepl
Johannes von Tepl was a notable German writer active during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, known for his unique blend of poetic prose that drew influences from Italian humanism. Born around 1350 in western Bohemia, he served as a city notary and rector of a Latin school while gaining respect and wealth through his legal career. His most significant work, "Der Ackermann aus Böhmen," published circa 1400, is recognized as one of the first books printed in the German language and is a foundational example of poetic prose that predated Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Werther." The narrative of this work revolves around a philosophical debate between a widower, a scribe, and the personification of death, raising questions about Tepl’s alignment with medieval doctrines versus Renaissance humanism. Although often interpreted as autobiographical, his work has been re-evaluated as rhetorical fiction. Tepl's literary legacy was obscured after his death around 1414, with his writings largely forgotten until their rediscovery in the 20th century, though no authentic copies of "Der Ackermann aus Böhmen" have been found. His other works, such as "St. Hieronymus-Offizum" and "Tkadlecek," are also attributed to him, contributing to his reputation in literature.
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Johannes von Tepl
Author
- Born: c. 1350
- Birthplace: Schüttwa or Tepl, Bohemia, Holy Roman Empire (now in Czech Republic)
- Died: c. 1415
- Place of death: Prague (now in Czech Republic)
Biography
Johannes von Tepl, a German writer who lived between 1350 and 1414, was a writer of distinguished poetic prose whose rhetorical forms were assimilations of the forms incorporated by Italian humanists. His most significant work, Der Ackermann aus Böhmen, appeared around 1400. Der Ackermann aus Böhmen was one of the first books to be printed in the German language and is considered the stellar example of poetic prose prior to Werther written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Tepl’s first known written work, the book centers around a debate between a widower, a scribe, and death personified. It has been the topic of extended debates regarding the position of Tepl as either a defender of the attitudes and doctrines of the medieval period or the herald of Renaissance humanism. Tepl’s language in the book includes sentence structures that resemble the writing of Italian humanists. The epilogue is clearly medieval, as it is a prayer praising God for His mystery and majesty and is offered for the soul of the widower’s dead wife, Margaretha. Although the book was considered autobiographical, historian Konrad Heilig’s research in 1933 caused the book to be reconsidered as rhetorical fiction.
Tepl was born in either Sitbor or Tepl in western Bohemia. He was the son of a priest, Henslinus of Sitbor. The circumstances of his birth are unclear. It is not known whether Tepl’s father entered the priesthood after his wife’s death or if Tepl and his brother were illegitimate. Tepl lived in the city of Saaz, where he worked as a city notary and as the rector of a Latin school. Although legal documents indicate that Tepl had earned a master or arts degree, there is no evidence to indicate the institution from which it was awarded. It is likely that he studied in Paris, however.
In 1386, Tepl was appointed to the post of imperial notary, which elevated him to a status of respectability and relative wealth. Tepl moved to the city of Prague approximately ten years after completing Der Ackermann aus Böhmen, where he served as a district notary. Tepl fell ill in 1413 and was forced to resign from his position. He died some time thereafter. After his death, Tepl’s works were lost and were not rediscovered until the twentieth century. However, no accurate copies Der Ackermann aus Böhmen have been located. Two later works, St. Hieronymus-Offizum and Tkadlecek, are believed to have been written by Tepl.