The Mysterious And Sinister Devil’S Bible: What Is It?
The Devil’s Bible, also known as Codex Gigas, is one of the largest and most mysterious medieval manuscripts in the world. This ancient text has been the source of endless intrigue and speculation for centuries.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Devil’s Bible is a 13th century illuminated manuscript and the largest medieval book in the world. It contains the full Latin Vulgate Bible as well as apocryphal texts, magic formulas, and a large illustration of the devil.
The origin and reason for its creation are unknown.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the history, legends, and peculiar contents of the Devil’s Bible to try to unravel the mystery of this colossal codex.
The Physical Characteristics and Origins of the Devil’s Bible
The sheer size and scope of the codex
The Devil’s Bible, also known as Codex Gigas, is the largest known medieval manuscript in the world. This massive book measures a whopping 36 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 8 inches thick. It weighs a staggering 165 pounds. That’s no ordinary book – it’s an absolute behemoth!
To put its size into perspective, the Devil’s Bible is so large that it requires at least two people to lift it. Its shear physical presence is awe-inspiring and intimidating.
The codex originally contained 320 pages made of vellum, with 160 on each side. However, some pages have been lost over time, leaving only 624 pages intact today. The entire Latin Vulgate Bible is written within the codex, along with several other important texts.
The scope and ambition behind creating the Devil’s Bible is just as impressive as its physical size. It must have taken an army of scribes working day and night to hand write the entire thing! Just imagine the hand cramps they must have endured.
When and where it was created
The Devil’s Bible was created at some point in the early 13th century, most likely between 1195-1230 AD. Scholars believe it was made at the Benedictine monastery of Podlažice in Bohemia, which is located in modern day Czechia.
The monastery was eventually destroyed during the 15th century Hussite Wars. Before its destruction, the codex was thankfully relocated to various other monasteries over the next few centuries. It eventually found its way to the National Library of Sweden in Stockholm, where it still resides today.
The mystery surrounding its origins
Despite intense scholarly interest, the exact origins of the Devil’s Bible remain shrouded in mystery. A note in the manuscript indicates it was pawned in the monastery at Sedlec and later bought by the Břevnov monastery in Prague. But beyond that, not much is known about its early history.
There are many tantalizing myths and legends around who created it and why.
According to medieval legend, a monk named Herman the Recluse was sentenced to death for breaking his monastic vows. To avoid execution, Herman swore he would create a book containing all human knowledge overnight. With help from the devil, he managed to live up to his bold promise!
But is the legend true? If so, how did Herman manage such a herculean feat? Unfortunately, concrete evidence behind the codex’s origins remains sparse. The true identity of the scribes and their motivations for creating this massive tome may be lost to time.
The Contents and Texts within the Devil’s Bible
The complete Vulgate Latin Bible
The Codex Gigas contains the entire Latin Vulgate Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments, written in a uniform hand. This demonstrates the ambitious scope and vast undertaking required to produce this book.
The inclusion of the complete Bible lent an air of religious gravitas and importance to the codex.
Analysis shows that the Bible sections were likely copied from another source rather than composed originally for this codex. This includes some errors and omissions that were carried over. Nevertheless, the sheer effort to reproduce the lengthy biblical texts completely by hand represents an awe-inspiring feat of medieval scribal dedication.
Apocryphal books not included in the Bible
In addition to the canonical Bible texts, the Devil’s Bible incorporates several apocryphal books which were not officially included in the Catholic Bible. This shows the codex was intended not just as a religious document but also for scholarly study.
The apocryphal sections provide insights into beliefs and stories circulating at the time that were not found in the approved Bible.
Some of the apocryphal books found in the Codex Gigas include 3 and 4 Esdras from the Old Testament, and the Epistle of Barnabas from the New Testament. The book also contains Flavius Josephus’s Jewish Antiquities, a vital historical account.
In many ways the selection of apocryphal books serves as a sort of medieval encyclopedia of important texts outside official canon.
A guide to medicinal herbs and pharmaceutical treatments
The Codex Gigas contains an extensive section dedicated to documenting beneficial medicinal plants and herbal treatments, including instructions for distilling essential oils and preparing natural remedies. This reflects the vital importance of medicine and healthcare during the Middle Ages.
The pharmaceutical section lists various plants such as dandelion, chamomile, thyme, mint, sage, and their medicinal properties. Detailed illustrations accompany the descriptions. In total over 700 medicinal recipes are provided, making this section one of the most complete medieval compendiums focused on folk remedies and early medicine.
Incantations, spells, and magic formulas
Some parts of the Devil’s Bible delve into the world of medieval magic and occult arts. Various charms, incantations, magical sigils, astrological overtones, and cryptic spells fill its pages. This aspect fueled beliefs at the time that demonic forces were involved in creating the codex.
Analysis shows these mysterious writings seem to be a form of cipher used to conceal secret information or encode wisdom. They highlight the boundary between early science and mysticism. While their meaning is still not fully clear, they offer tantalizing clues to hidden beliefs during the Middle Ages.
The Lore and Legends Surrounding the Devil’s Bible
The myth of it being written in a single night
One of the most enduring myths about the Devil’s Bible is that it was written in a single night by a monk who sold his soul to the devil. This fantastical story claims that a 13th century Benedictine monk made a pact with Satan to create the Codex Gigas in exchange for his soul.
According to the legend, the monk broke his monastic vows and was sentenced to be walled up alive. In order to avoid this gruesome punishment, he promised to write a book containing all human knowledge overnight. With the devil’s aid, he succeeded in writing the 309-page long book in a single night.
While this tale adds an aura of mystery and intrigue to the Devil’s Bible, scholars have debunked it as fictional. Based on analysis of the handwriting and illustrations, experts believe the codex took over 20 years to complete.
The legend does highlight the book’s impressive scale and the medieval belief that forbidden knowledge came from demonic sources.
Tales of it being created by a monk in a pact with the devil
The myth about the monk making a pact with the devil has endured over the centuries, with various versions emerging. According to some tales, the Benedictine monk was a genius polymath determined to condense all human wisdom into a single book.
When death approached before completing this lofty goal, he turned to the devil for a diabolical deal to finish the codex. Other stories claim the monk was simply a scribe commissioned to create the book by the Bohemian king at the time.
Lagging behind schedule, he sold his soul to speed up the writing process.
These legends reveal the medieval stereotype of monks and mystics trafficking with demons for forbidden knowledge. While the pact with the devil storyline is fictional, analysis does indicate the codex was likely created and used by Bohemian monastic clergy in the 13th century.
This may be because heretical and magical texts were associated with monastic orders outside church authority at the time.
The large illustration of the devil and its meaning
One of the most striking features of the Devil’s Bible is a full page illustration of the devil himself. This demonic drawing, found on page 577, portrays Satan as a horned, clawed, and winged beast rising up from the depths.
The illustration’s placement opposite the book’s transcription of the New Testament has fueled speculation about its meaning.
Some believe the drawing symbolizes the monk’s deal with the devil to create the codex. Others interpret it as an attempt to guard the holy scripture from demonic forces or symbolizing the duality of good and evil.
Many see the devil picture as deliberately provocative, designed to shock those who opened the book. The illustration’s enigmatic meaning continues to add a layer of mystery to the already legendary codex.
Stories of the codex being cursed or having sinister powers
The Devil’s Bible has long been associated with stories of being cursed or possessing sinister powers. According to legend, horrific misfortunes befell many who handled the codex over its history. The codex was considered so unlucky that superstitious scholars avoided consulting it entirely.
Victims of its curse allegedly included medieval monks killed in a monastery fire shortly after the manuscript’s creation.
Later holders of the codex were said to have suffered terrible illnesses, catastrophic fires, and untimely deaths. Such stories stoked fears about the book’s demonic origins and helped cement its hellish reputation.
While these chilling tales are likely fabrications, they resonate with medieval views of forbidden texts as dangerous tools of black magic and demonic forces.
The Later History and Importance of the Devil’s Bible
How it ended up in hands of nobility in the 17th century
After being created in the 13th century, the mysterious Devil’s Bible changed hands several times before ending up in the possession of nobility in the 17th century. Around 1600, Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, acquired the ancient manuscript for his vast collection of rare texts and objects in Prague.
As an avid patron of the arts and occult sciences, Rudolf likely prized the Devil’s Bible for its mystique and connection to the demonic. His ownership shone a spotlight on the one-of-a-kind book, making it coveted by other eminent collectors and rulers across Europe.
Its role as a war trophy taken by Sweden in the Thirty Years War
The Thirty Years War raging across central Europe in the early 17th century ultimately led to the Devil’s Bible leaving Prague. After Protestant Swedish forces sacked the city in 1648, the precious manuscript was among many treasures seized from Rudolf’s collection and taken back to Stockholm.
For the victorious Swedes, the Devil’s Bible functioned as a prized war trophy demonstrating their military dominance. Its transport to Sweden also reflected the practice of appropriating cultural heritage objects during times of conflict.
When it was later returned to Prague by the Swedes
Nearly a century after being plundered from Prague, the Devil’s Bible finally returned to its former home in 1748. Seeking to mend relations after prolonged warring across Europe, the Swedish decided to give back many of the artifacts they had looted from Bohemia.
On September 9, 1748, a Swedish guard regiment ceremonially marched the Devil’s Bible across the Charles Bridge back into Prague, returning it to the collection of the National Library. The restitution helped symbolize a new era of peace between the two nations while also reuniting an important piece of Czech cultural heritage with the land of its origin.
Its status today as a valued piece of medieval history
Now safely housed in the National Library of the Czech Republic, the Devil’s Bible stands as an intriguing artifact documenting medieval monastic life and early bookmaking. Its immense size, lavish illustrations, and mysterious origins have made it an object of fascination for historians and researchers.
Strict climate and light controls help preserve the delicate vellum pages of the priceless book. Only two pages are displayed at a time behind glass to limit damage from exposure. Valued at over $100 million, the Devil’s Bible is considered a national treasure and one of Prague’s most popular attractions.
This ancient enigma retains its allure as both an exquisite medieval work and a possible window into occult medieval mysticism.
Conclusion
The Devil’s Bible has endured for centuries, remaining an object of fascination and intrigue even today. While its exact origins may never be known, this massive book provides invaluable insights into medieval bookmaking, texts, and illustrations.
The legends surrounding it reveal the imagination and superstitions of people during medieval times. This ancient codex continues to be valued for its early versions of important religious texts and for the mystery that still surrounds it.
