Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook

Regel van Benedictus (Middle Dutch fragment)

A fragment of a medieval manuscript containing a Middle Dutch translation of Benedict's Rule for monks.

A vernacular translation of Benedict's own Rule, showing how his writing continued to shape monastic life long after his death.

Ask Saint Benedict about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Page of a medieval handwritten manuscript on aged parchment in brown ink with red initial letters and red chapter headings, including a heading reading 'De humilitate'. The text is in dense Gothic-style script in continuous lines.
Unknown scribe, Middle Dutch translation of the Rule of Saint Benedict, manuscript fragment 256.

About this source

What it is

This is a fragment of a handwritten manuscript (numbered 256) containing a Middle Dutch translation of the Rule of Saint Benedict, the set of guidelines Benedict wrote for monastic life. The author of this particular translation is unknown.

The page shown includes a chapter heading, 'De humilitate' (On humility), written in Gothic script with decorated red initials.

Why it matters

Benedict's Rule, originally written in Latin in the 6th century, became the basis for monastic life across Europe. This Dutch translation shows how, centuries later, the Rule was still being copied and translated so that it could be read and understood by monks and nuns who did not read Latin easily.

Look closer

  • Why would someone translate a Latin religious text into a local language?
  • What does the careful decoration of the page tell you about how this text was valued?
  • What parts of the text are illegible, and what does that tell us about how manuscripts survive?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Benedict on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Saint Benedict sources

Meet the AI Saint Benedict →
Open pages of a medieval Latin manuscript on aged parchment, with handwritten black text in columns, red initials and rubrics, and a large decorated illuminated initial on the left page. The text appears to be a copy of a monastic rule.Book

Primary source

Rule of Saint Benedict

Benedict of Nursia · c. 600

A large monastery complex with a central dome and bell tower sits on top of a wooded hill under a clear blue sky. Dense green trees cover the hillside below the long pale building.Artifact

Secondary source

Monte Cassino

founded c. 529/530

Detail of a faded fresco showing a hooded, bald monk in a cream-colored robe seated at a white-draped table, holding a small cup. To the left, a woman in a blue blouse and orange skirt pours from a jug. Behind the table, a young man in green holds a tray, and another figure stands in a dark red robe. At the right edge, an older seated man in a light robe is partly visible.Painting

Secondary source

Fresco Cycle of the Life of St Benedict at Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Luca Signorelli and Sodoma · 1497-1505 (fresco cycle); abbey founded 1313

A dim, orange-lit chamber shows a large metal reliquary chest with three decorative hinged straps and studded ornamental fittings, set on a stone plinth. A brass plaque reads 'RELIQUES DE SAINT BENOIT 480-547'.Artifact

Secondary source

Reliquary of Saint Benedict at Fleury

A large, wrinkled parchment spread out on a dark background, with faded reddish and brown ink lines forming architectural plans of buildings, rooms, and circular features. Some handwritten text is visible at the lower left edge.Artifact

Secondary source

Plan of Saint Gall

c. 820-830

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Saint Benedict now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions