A New Interpretation of Eckhart's Defence of 1326

Abstract

On the morning of 26th September in the year 1326, in Cologne, the gate of the Cloister of the Dominicans in the Predigergasse opened. A small group of friars came out. Among them was the most famous intellectual in Germany at that time, Master Eckhart. He had taught twice at the Sorbonne, he had led the east German Dominican Province for many years, he had travelled in Europe as a representative of the German Dominicans, in whose name he negotiated with cardinals, bishops and lay princes. With his sermons he had filled the churches in Strasbourg, Cologne and everywhere he went. He had published perceptive Bible commentaries for professional theologians, and in addition he had written treatises in the German language. He was about 65 years old. He was followed by his socius – his assistant – brother Conrad of Halberstad. The small group made their way to the cathedral. At the cathedral, in the hall of the chapter, Eckhart was expected – by the officers of the Court of the Inquisition. The host was the Inquisitor and chapter member, Reinher of Friesland, to whom the archbishop had entrusted the authority to act as judge in his name, together with a Franciscan, Petrus de Estate. The two had led secret investigations over a long period of time and had collected several pieces of evidence. And now the time had come. The day had arrived when the cross-examination was finally to take place. On that 26th September an epoch-making process began, one which left significant traces in the intellectual history of Europe. Three years later, the process ended in a condemnation Bull. The Pope solemnly proclaimed that the religious way of Eckhart led nowhere.