Birgerus Gregorii - Revision history

Sthop9388 at 11:41, 29 October 2025

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			[This article has been updated/rewritten in 2025 to incorporate current research. Please adjust citation accordingly.]


	by Peter Ståhl		by Peter Ståhl

Sthop9388 at 12:27, 20 October 2025

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Hkllm at 07:51, 16 July 2012

2012-07-16T07:51:32Z

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	Posterity was very appreciating where Birger’s personal qualities are concerned. The oldest chronicle of the Archbishops of Uppsala (Stockholm, National Archives, A 8) tells us that he was “''vir magne liberalitatis et sani consilii vir in omni sciencia, precipue theologie, legum et canonum peritus''” (SRS III:2, 101). Johannes Magnus (d. 1544), in his history of the archbishops, emphasizes Birger’s learning in like manner (SRS III:2, 55).		Posterity was very appreciating where Birger’s personal qualities are concerned. The oldest chronicle of the Archbishops of Uppsala (Stockholm, National Archives, A 8) tells us that he was “''vir magne liberalitatis et sani consilii vir in omni sciencia, precipue theologie, legum et canonum peritus''” (SRS III:2, 101). Johannes Magnus (d. 1544), in his history of the archbishops, emphasizes Birger’s learning in like manner (SRS III:2, 55).

	==~~(1)~~ Officium Sancti Botvidi (Triumphantis milicie)==		==Officium Sancti Botvidi (Triumphantis milicie)==
	The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons containing the legend of St. Botvid. Traditionally it has been assumed that St. Botvid’s death occurred around 1120. Some scholars, however, have suggested that he died ca. 1080 [[Sanctus Botvidus]].		The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons containing the legend of St. Botvid. Traditionally it has been assumed that St. Botvid’s death occurred around 1120. Some scholars, however, have suggested that he died ca. 1080 [[Sanctus Botvidus]].

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	Birger’s office was intended for the feast of St. Botvid on 28 July, and it is transmitted in the most complete form in the Breviarium Strengnense (printed in Stockholm 1495). The Breviarium Lincopense (printed in Nuremberg 1493) has a mixed text, where the lessons essentially follow the version of the Breviarium Toresundense, though in a very abridged form. The office is also found in the following manuscripts at Uppsala University Library: C 354, C 435 and C 463 (all originating from the fifteenth century).		Birger’s office was intended for the feast of St. Botvid on 28 July, and it is transmitted in the most complete form in the Breviarium Strengnense (printed in Stockholm 1495). The Breviarium Lincopense (printed in Nuremberg 1493) has a mixed text, where the lessons essentially follow the version of the Breviarium Toresundense, though in a very abridged form. The office is also found in the following manuscripts at Uppsala University Library: C 354, C 435 and C 463 (all originating from the fifteenth century).

	==~~(2)~~ Officium Sancte Birgitte (Birgitte matris inclite)==		==Officium Sancte Birgitte (Birgitte matris inclite)==
	The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons comprising the legend of [[Sancta Birgitta]] (ca. 1303-1373). The legend has sometimes been treated as a separate literary work.		The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons comprising the legend of [[Sancta Birgitta]] (ca. 1303-1373). The legend has sometimes been treated as a separate literary work.

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	The antiphons and hymns consist of stanzas in rhyming iambic dimeter (rhythmical, 8 pp; NORBERG 1958, 106 f.). As an example, Hymn no. 2, rhyming abab, is quoted here:		The antiphons and hymns consist of stanzas in rhyming iambic dimeter (rhythmical, 8 pp; NORBERG 1958, 106 f.). As an example, Hymn no. 2, rhyming abab, is quoted here:

	''Celi perornat gaudia		''Celi perornat gaudia''

	causam prestat leticie		''causam prestat leticie''

	Birgitta, rosa fulgida,		''Birgitta, rosa fulgida'',

	pax et decus Osgocie''.		''pax et decus Osgocie''.

	(UNDHAGEN 1960, 183)		(UNDHAGEN 1960, 183)
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	Parts of the text were printed in the early editions of Missale Upsalense (Stockholm 1484), Missale Strengnense (Stockholm 1487), Breviarium Strengnense (Stockholm 1495), Breviarium Upsalense (Stockholm 1496), Breviarium Arosiense (Basel 1513) and Breviarium Lundense (Paris 1517) (see further UNDHAGEN 1960, XII).		Parts of the text were printed in the early editions of Missale Upsalense (Stockholm 1484), Missale Strengnense (Stockholm 1487), Breviarium Strengnense (Stockholm 1495), Breviarium Upsalense (Stockholm 1496), Breviarium Arosiense (Basel 1513) and Breviarium Lundense (Paris 1517) (see further UNDHAGEN 1960, XII).

	==~~(3)~~ Epistulae==		==Epistulae==
	At the entrance of Birger into the office as the king’s chancellor around 1364, a change of style concerning the formulation of the royal charters and documents is noticeable. The sudden appearance of quotations from the Bible and the Church Fathers, especially in the preambles of the charters, has been associated with the learning of the new chancellor (see LIEDGREN 1980, 70). Equally significant is the abundant use of cursus, which also may reveal that Birger was the dictator of the documents; as has been indicated above in the two offices, he was very fond of using cursus. One document originating from a later period, when Birger was archbishop of Uppsala, has been chosen here in order to give a glimpse of his epistolary style. The letter is issued on 31 August 1370, (DS no. 8181), when Birger established a new canonry at Uppsala Cathedral:		At the entrance of Birger into the office as the king’s chancellor around 1364, a change of style concerning the formulation of the royal charters and documents is noticeable. The sudden appearance of quotations from the Bible and the Church Fathers, especially in the preambles of the charters, has been associated with the learning of the new chancellor (see LIEDGREN 1980, 70). Equally significant is the abundant use of cursus, which also may reveal that Birger was the dictator of the documents; as has been indicated above in the two offices, he was very fond of using cursus. One document originating from a later period, when Birger was archbishop of Uppsala, has been chosen here in order to give a glimpse of his epistolary style. The letter is issued on 31 August 1370, (DS no. 8181), when Birger established a new canonry at Uppsala Cathedral:

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	As indicated above the preamble reflects several passages from the Bible (see further LIEDGREN 1980, 71).		As indicated above the preamble reflects several passages from the Bible (see further LIEDGREN 1980, 71).

	Finally, it should be noted that Birger probably was the dictator of the two earliest supplications for the canonization of Birgitta, which were sent from Sweden to the pope. Both supplications were issued on 9 October 1376 (DS no. 9339 and 9340).		Finally, it should be noted that Birger probably was the dictator of the two earliest supplications for the canonization of Birgitta, which were sent from Sweden to the pope. Both supplications were issued on 9 October 1376 (DS no. 9339 and 9340; GEJROT 2008, 97 f.).

	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==

Hkllm at 07:48, 16 July 2012

2012-07-16T07:48:28Z

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	The following verses (Responsory no. 1) indicate the poetic skill of Birger:		The following verses (Responsory no. 1) indicate the poetic skill of Birger:

	''Rosa rubens egreditur		''Rosa rubens egreditur''

	de spinarum acumine,		''de spinarum acumine'',

	gemma terre subtrahitur		''gemma terre subtrahitur''

	precellens pulchritudine,		''precellens pulchritudine'',

	Bothuidus cum producitur		''Bothuidus cum producitur''

	ex paganorum semine.		''ex paganorum semine''.

	Aurum splendens efficitur,		''Aurum splendens efficitur'',

	argentum purum redditur		''argentum purum redditur''

	purgatum a rubigine''.		''purgatum a rubigine''.

	(ÖNNERFORS 1966, 77)		(ÖNNERFORS 1966, 77)
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	*ENGSTRÖM, S. 1932: “Ett aktstycke rörande Birger Gregerssons och biskop Alfons’ Birgittaofficier,” in Kyrkohistorisk årsskrift, Uppsala.		*ENGSTRÖM, S. 1932: “Ett aktstycke rörande Birger Gregerssons och biskop Alfons’ Birgittaofficier,” in Kyrkohistorisk årsskrift, Uppsala.
	*FRÖJMARK, A. 1992: Mirakler och helgonkult. Linköpings biskopsdöme under senmedeltiden, Uppsala.		*FRÖJMARK, A. 1992: Mirakler och helgonkult. Linköpings biskopsdöme under senmedeltiden, Uppsala.
	*GEJROT, C. 2008: "Att sätta ljuset i ljusstaken. Birgittinsk lobbying vid mitten av 1370-talet" in Medeltidens mångfald. Studier i samhällsliv, kultur och kommunikation tillägnade Olle Ferm, ed. G. Dahlbäck et al., Stockholm.		*• GEJROT, C. 2008: "Att sätta ljuset i ljusstaken. Birgittinsk lobbying vid mitten av 1370-talet" in Medeltidens mångfald. Studier i samhällsliv, kultur och kommunikation tillägnade Olle Ferm, ed. G. Dahlbäck et al., Stockholm.
	*GILLINGSTAM, H. 1965: “Malstaätten,” in Äldre svenska frälsesläkter, vol. I:2, Stockholm.		*GILLINGSTAM, H. 1965: “Malstaätten,” in Äldre svenska frälsesläkter, vol. I:2, Stockholm.
	*HEDQVIST, V. 1893: Den kristna kärleksverksamheten i Sverige under medeltiden, Strängnäs.		*HEDQVIST, V. 1893: Den kristna kärleksverksamheten i Sverige under medeltiden, Strängnäs.

Hkllm at 07:46, 16 July 2012

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	As archbishop Birger had to visit different parts of his large province. In October 1369, for instance, he appears in Åbo (Turku) where he decrees that old customs concerning taxes to the Church should be observed by the laymen (DS no. 7979). In 1374 he made a long visitation of the northern part of his diocese. The main reason for this journey, which lasted at least from April to October, was the controversy about the border between the Dioceses of Uppsala and Åbo (see e.g. DS X, no. 319; DS no. 8666; AHNLUND 1920, 211 f.). From 1375 and onwards, however, Birger’s concern over the canonization of Birgitta (d. 1373) is more and more noticeable. On 2 May 1375, he was in Vadstena in order to confirm the first collection of miracles that was sent to the curia (COLLIJN, I. 1924-1931, 163; DS no. 8772; FRÖJMARK 1992, 32). In the following year he is the issuer – together with Bishop [[Nicolaus Hermanni]] of Linköping and Bishop Mathias Laurentii of Västerås – of a supplication to pope Gregory XI concerning the canonization, dated 9 October 1376 (DS no. 9340). On 9 December of the same year a second collection of miracles was sent to the curia. Birger and the two bishops, mentioned above, had a meeting at the convent of the Grey Friars in Stockholm, where they confirmed the authenticity of the miracles by putting their seals on the document (DS no. 9378; FRÖJMARK 1992, 37-38). It is to be noted that further supplications for the canonization were issued by the Swedish clergy and others in the following years.		As archbishop Birger had to visit different parts of his large province. In October 1369, for instance, he appears in Åbo (Turku) where he decrees that old customs concerning taxes to the Church should be observed by the laymen (DS no. 7979). In 1374 he made a long visitation of the northern part of his diocese. The main reason for this journey, which lasted at least from April to October, was the controversy about the border between the Dioceses of Uppsala and Åbo (see e.g. DS X, no. 319; DS no. 8666; AHNLUND 1920, 211 f.). From 1375 and onwards, however, Birger’s concern over the canonization of Birgitta (d. 1373) is more and more noticeable. On 2 May 1375, he was in Vadstena in order to confirm the first collection of miracles that was sent to the curia (COLLIJN, I. 1924-1931, 163; DS no. 8772; FRÖJMARK 1992, 32). In the following year he is the issuer – together with Bishop [[Nicolaus Hermanni]] of Linköping and Bishop Mathias Laurentii of Västerås – of a supplication to pope Gregory XI concerning the canonization, dated 9 October 1376 (DS no. 9340). On 9 December of the same year a second collection of miracles was sent to the curia. Birger and the two bishops, mentioned above, had a meeting at the convent of the Grey Friars in Stockholm, where they confirmed the authenticity of the miracles by putting their seals on the document (DS no. 9378; FRÖJMARK 1992, 37-38). It is to be noted that further supplications for the canonization were issued by the Swedish clergy and others in the following years.

	During the last years of his life Birger seems to have spent a lot of time at the manor Arnö (today’s Biskops-Arnö) by the lake Mälaren, where he could find the peace he needed to write and to contemplate. In the mid-1370s he had started to compose a rhymed office (historia) in honour of (St.) Birgitta (see works below). The working process can be followed in four private letters, transmitted in the “Large copy-book of Vadstena Abbey” (Stockholm, National Archives, A 20). All four letters are addressed to the confessor general and the brothers of Vadstena Abbey respectively. The year of issue is not indicated, but they are supposed to have been written in 1376 (DS nos. 9224, 9229, 9240 and 9246; ENGSTRÖM 1932, 272 f.; UNDHAGEN 1960, 23 f.). In the first letter, dated 13 March, Birger announces that he is sending an arm made of silver, which should be put in front of the relics of (St.) Birgitta in the abbey, since he had been suffering of ache in his right arm. In another letter, dated 6 May (1376), he discusses the issue of sending money to Catherine Ulfsdotter [[Sancta Katherina]], (St.) Birgitta’s daughter, who was in Italy at the moment in order to present the first collection of her mother’s miracles to the curia.		During the last years of his life Birger seems to have spent a lot of time at the manor Arnö (today’s Biskops-Arnö) by the lake Mälaren, where he could find the peace he needed to write and to contemplate. In the mid-1370s he had started to compose a rhymed office (historia) in honour of (St.) Birgitta (see works below). The working process can be followed in four private letters, transmitted in the “Large copy-book of Vadstena Abbey” (Stockholm, National Archives, A 20). All four letters are addressed to the confessor general and the brothers of Vadstena Abbey respectively. The year of issue is not indicated, but they are supposed to have been written in 1376 (DS nos. 9224, 9229, 9240 and 9246; ENGSTRÖM 1932, 272 f.; UNDHAGEN 1960, 23 f.; GEJROT 2008, 95 f.). In the first letter, dated 13 March, Birger announces that he is sending an arm made of silver, which should be put in front of the relics of (St.) Birgitta in the abbey, since he had been suffering of ache in his right arm. In another letter, dated 6 May (1376), he discusses the issue of sending money to Catherine Ulfsdotter [[Sancta Katherina]], (St.) Birgitta’s daughter, who was in Italy at the moment in order to present the first collection of her mother’s miracles to the curia.

	Birger’s relations with king Albrecht were seriously deteriorated from 1381 due to a dispute about the hospital of Enköping and the appointment of the new manager. The king’s German candidate Johannes de Gelthinge, who was at the same time the king’s chaplain, could not be accepted by Birger, who referred to the archbishop’s old right to appoint the managers of the hospital (SRAP no. 1601). We can assume that Birger, who had already shown great interest in the hospital by issuing the statutes (HEDQVIST 1893, 140-45), had no wish to increase the German influence in the Swedish Church and in the country as a whole; this influence was very strong already and it was also very unpopular among the Swedish population at the time (BRILIOTH 1925, 93; PERNLER 1999, 101). Johannes de Gelthinge then declared that he had the intention to appeal to the pope. Some time later, probably during the autumn 1382, it is obvious that the king had withdrawn his support from Johannes, and was then proposing his chancellor Heinrich van Ranten as manager of the hospital. In his answer to the king, Birger declared that he could not support the new candidate, since the case of Johannes de Gelthinge was still under investigation (RPprH no. 55). Unfortunately, we have no information about the solution of the conflict.		Birger’s relations with king Albrecht were seriously deteriorated from 1381 due to a dispute about the hospital of Enköping and the appointment of the new manager. The king’s German candidate Johannes de Gelthinge, who was at the same time the king’s chaplain, could not be accepted by Birger, who referred to the archbishop’s old right to appoint the managers of the hospital (SRAP no. 1601). We can assume that Birger, who had already shown great interest in the hospital by issuing the statutes (HEDQVIST 1893, 140-45), had no wish to increase the German influence in the Swedish Church and in the country as a whole; this influence was very strong already and it was also very unpopular among the Swedish population at the time (BRILIOTH 1925, 93; PERNLER 1999, 101). Johannes de Gelthinge then declared that he had the intention to appeal to the pope. Some time later, probably during the autumn 1382, it is obvious that the king had withdrawn his support from Johannes, and was then proposing his chancellor Heinrich van Ranten as manager of the hospital. In his answer to the king, Birger declared that he could not support the new candidate, since the case of Johannes de Gelthinge was still under investigation (RPprH no. 55). Unfortunately, we have no information about the solution of the conflict.

Hkllm at 07:40, 16 July 2012

2012-07-16T07:40:55Z

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Hkllm at 13:46, 5 July 2012

2012-07-05T13:46:57Z

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	by Peter Ståhl		by Peter Ståhl

	Birgerus Gregorii, in Swedish known as Birger Gregersson, was probably born in 1327 and died 11 March 1383. He was canon of Strängnäs Cathedral from 1342, dean of Uppsala Cathedral from 1356 and finally archbishop of Uppsala from 1366. Birger is the author of two rhymed offices, Triumphantis milicie in honour of >Sanctus Botvidus, and Birgitte matris inclite in honour of >Sancta Birgitta, the names of the offices referring to the first lines respectively. His literary talent is also reflected in several letters and documents, of which he is supposed to be the dictator.		'''Birgerus Gregorii''', in Swedish known as Birger Gregersson, was probably born in 1327 and died 11 March 1383. He was canon of Strängnäs Cathedral from 1342, dean of Uppsala Cathedral from 1356 and finally archbishop of Uppsala from 1366. Birger is the author of two rhymed offices, Triumphantis milicie in honour of >Sanctus Botvidus, and Birgitte matris inclite in honour of >Sancta Birgitta, the names of the offices referring to the first lines respectively. His literary talent is also reflected in several letters and documents, of which he is supposed to be the dictator.

	==Sources==		==Sources==

Hkllm at 15:10, 25 February 2012

2012-02-25T15:10:23Z

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			by Peter Ståhl

	Birgerus Gregorii, in Swedish known as Birger Gregersson, was probably born in 1327 and died 11 March 1383. He was canon of Strängnäs Cathedral from 1342, dean of Uppsala Cathedral from 1356 and finally archbishop of Uppsala from 1366. Birger is the author of two rhymed offices, Triumphantis milicie in honour of >Sanctus Botvidus, and Birgitte matris inclite in honour of >Sancta Birgitta, the names of the offices referring to the first lines respectively. His literary talent is also reflected in several letters and documents, of which he is supposed to be the dictator.		Birgerus Gregorii, in Swedish known as Birger Gregersson, was probably born in 1327 and died 11 March 1383. He was canon of Strängnäs Cathedral from 1342, dean of Uppsala Cathedral from 1356 and finally archbishop of Uppsala from 1366. Birger is the author of two rhymed offices, Triumphantis milicie in honour of >Sanctus Botvidus, and Birgitte matris inclite in honour of >Sancta Birgitta, the names of the offices referring to the first lines respectively. His literary talent is also reflected in several letters and documents, of which he is supposed to be the dictator.

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	*ÖNNERFORS, A. 1960: (review of) UNDHAGEN, C.G.: Birger Gregerssons Birgitta-officium (see Editions above), Kyrkohistorisk årsskrift 1960, Uppsala.		*ÖNNERFORS, A. 1960: (review of) UNDHAGEN, C.G.: Birger Gregerssons Birgitta-officium (see Editions above), Kyrkohistorisk årsskrift 1960, Uppsala.
	*ÖNNERFORS, A. 1969: “Das Botvidsoffizium des Toresundbreviers,” Eranos 67.		*ÖNNERFORS, A. 1969: “Das Botvidsoffizium des Toresundbreviers,” Eranos 67.

	~~Peter Ståhl~~

	[[Category:Article]]		[[Category:Article]]

Hkllm at 14:01, 16 September 2010

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	The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons comprising the legend of >Sancta Birgitta (ca. 1303-1373). The legend has sometimes been treated as a separate literary work.		The work is a complete rhymed office including texts for the canonical hours and for the mass, with nine lessons comprising the legend of >Sancta Birgitta (ca. 1303-1373). The legend has sometimes been treated as a separate literary work.

	====Title====		====-====
			=====Title=====
	The title used by Birger himself was “Hystoria domine Birgitte” or “Hystoria de domina Birgitta” (DS no. 9224 and 9240), where the expression hystoria obviously is used as a synonym for officium (UNDHAGEN 1960, 6). It should be noted that Birgitta was not yet canonized when the office was composed. In the medieval manuscripts the following titles are found, e.g.: Officium Sancte Brigitte (Stockholm, Royal Library, A 67), Officium in festo beate Brigide (“Codex Nordenskiöld,” Helsinki University Library), Historia de sancta Birgitta (Uppsala University Library, C 293), Historia in solemnitatibus Sancte Birgitte de regno Suecie (Stockholm, Royal Library, A 75), etc. The legend, which is often found as a separate text, is called Legenda vel vita beate Birgitte (“Codex Falkenberg,” Lund University Library).		The title used by Birger himself was “Hystoria domine Birgitte” or “Hystoria de domina Birgitta” (DS no. 9224 and 9240), where the expression hystoria obviously is used as a synonym for officium (UNDHAGEN 1960, 6). It should be noted that Birgitta was not yet canonized when the office was composed. In the medieval manuscripts the following titles are found, e.g.: Officium Sancte Brigitte (Stockholm, Royal Library, A 67), Officium in festo beate Brigide (“Codex Nordenskiöld,” Helsinki University Library), Historia de sancta Birgitta (Uppsala University Library, C 293), Historia in solemnitatibus Sancte Birgitte de regno Suecie (Stockholm, Royal Library, A 75), etc. The legend, which is often found as a separate text, is called Legenda vel vita beate Birgitte (“Codex Falkenberg,” Lund University Library).

Hkllm at 13:59, 16 September 2010

2010-09-16T13:59:51Z

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