Friendship, Calm, Justice, and Peace. Re-reading the Heber-Serrure manuscript (Ghent, UL, Ms. 1374) in its historic context

The Heber-Serrure manuscript (Ghent, UL, Ms. 1374) is a Middle Dutch miscellanycontaining ethic-didactic texts, originating from the late 14th century HerneCharterhouse. Its only scribe also produced Vienna, Ö.N.B., Cod. 13.708, which hasbeen called its “sister manuscript”. Nonetheless, both collections also differsignificantly: the Ghent codex might have been a private manuscript, whereas theViennese codex likely served a more public role. Kwakkel argued that Cod. 13.708should be understood against the backdrop of the Western Schism’s impact in Herne. Iwill demonstrate that a similar, contextualized reading can shed new light on therationale behind the Heber-Serrure codex. Although its contents are eclectic, thecollection shows a consistent interest in ethical themes such as peace, deceptivecounseling, abbatial responsibilities, and stoic forgiveness. When read in this manner,the manuscript has captured its maker coming to terms with the unrest in hiscommunity.