The second story of the Geraardsbergen Manuscript was told by Robrecht Lievens in an article which was published in 1996. This Flemish scholar has argued that the text collection which has been preserved in the c. 1465 codex was based on a collection of texts owned by an inhabitant of the town, viz. the scribe Guillebert de Mets (d. 1460?).
How did Lievens arrive at this conclusion? He showed that various textual characteristics can be linked to the life and work of Guillebert. A fine example is provided by Text 69, which describes a pilgrimage route to Aachen, ending on the way back in Geraardsbergen, more precisely Inden vranxschen scilt (In the French shield). This inn is also mentioned in a French manuscript which was copied by Guillebert shortly after 1434. There, the scribe makes himself known as Guillebert de Mets, hoste de l´escu de France à Gramont. Another example is Text 73, which introduces itself as the verclaers van eener biechten (elucidation of a confession), translated from a French source which was written by meester Jan Jarcoen. This Dutch name refers to the famous Parisian scholar Jean Gerson (1363-1429), who composed the French original, Examen de conscience selon les pêchés capitaux, around 1400. It is irrefutable that Guillebert, who was trained in Paris, had knowledge of Gerson´s work. In his Description de la ville de Paris (1434), the Flemish scribe praises the sermons of maistre Jehan Jarcon.
These and other links between texts in the Geraardsbergen Manuscript and Guillebert suggest that the text collection was compiled by this prominent resident of Geraardsbergen, serving the town as alderman and official representative.
For more details, see: further reading
Return to: the five stories of the Geraardsbergen Manuscript