Hermann of Fritzlar

Hermann of Fritzlar a mystic, was born at Fritzlar, in Hesse, towards the middle of the 14th century. Nothing certain is known of his position or social relations: it is probable, however, that he was a rich layman, like Nicholas of Basle, who retired from the world to devote himself to reading and writing theological works. One of his earlier works, to which he refers himself, Die Blume der Schauung (doubtless of speculative tendency), appears to have been lost. We have, however, his Heiligenleben (printed in Pfeiffer's Deutschen Hystikern des 14 Jahrh. 1, 1-258, from the Heidelberg MS. executed under his supervision in 1343-1349). It is an extensive work, compiled from sources now mostly lost. — Herzog, Real-Encyklop. (J. N. P.)