Women Writers Through History | Elizabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont, Medieval Translator of French to Early New High German

Tomb of Elizabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont, Countess of Nassau-Saarbrücken

Elizabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont, Countess of Nassau-Saarbrücken (Isabella of Lotharingen) (c. 1395-1456) was a German regent and translator. She played a pivotal role in the development of Early New High German literature. 

In c. 1437, she translated and edited several French romances into Early New High German, from c. 1350 to 1650. Its use produced significant linguistic changes and the beginning of the standardization of the German language. The invention of the printing press and Luther’s Bible facilitated the use of the new German.

Vaudémont’s work laid the groundwork for the novel as a literary form in the New German. The translations made these stories accessible to a German-speaking audience and influenced German prose literature's stylistic and thematic development. These contributions form a major milestone in the history of German literature by bridging the gap between medieval and modern literary traditions. The texts translated included French Romances such as those by Odo Arpin of Bourges, Sibille, Loher & Maller, and Hug Chapler. 

Elisabeth’s court became a center for literary activity. It is inconclusive whether she translated these works herself, or oversaw a team of courtly scribes who did so under her direction. This patronage was crucial in fostering a literary culture and preserving these texts for future generations. The manuscripts of her translations are significant artifacts of the period. Her second son, John II, became interested in his mother’s literary activities. As a tribute to her, he hired scribes to produce magnificent manuscripts of his mother’s work. The Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel and the State and University Library in Hamburg house the manuscripts.

Widowed in 1429, Elisabeth managed her inheritance during her lifetime. In 1439, she divided her possessions among her two sons, Philip II and John II. 

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