John of Hildesheim

John of Hildesheim or Johannes de Hildesheim (died 1375) was a writer and Carmelite monk from the German town of Hildesheim. As a Carmelite, he travelled through Germany, France, and Italy, and his broad literary opus includes works of philosophy, theology, and poetry.

John of Hildesheim is chiefly known as the author of the popular "Historia Trium Regum", which records the history of the Three Magi, derived from the Biblical story, including their background before their journey to Bethlehem trailing the famous Star, their lives after the Adoration, and the history of their relics (reputed to lie in the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany). Also included is a lengthy account of the Magis' descendant, the fabled priest-king Prester John of medieval legend. The work was attributed to John of Hildesheim by later commentators like Johannes Trithemius, but not all modern historians take this for granted.

Other works of John of Hildesheim include "The Mirror of the Source of Life", a treatise on the nature of life, and writings in defense of the Carmelite Order.

External links

* [http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/culture/philos/fonsintro.html "The Mirror of the Source of Life" from the-orb.net]
* [http://www.kraftmstr.com/christmas/books/gs-three_kings.html "The Three Kings of Cologne" adapted from "Historia Trium Regum"]