Dietrich of Nieheim facts for kids
Dietrich of Nieheim (also known as Niem or Nyem) was an important historian who lived a long time ago, from about 1345 to 1418. He was born in a small town called Nieheim, which was part of the area controlled by the Bishop of Paderborn.
Dietrich's Life
We don't know much about Dietrich's early life or his family. He spent some time in Italy studying law. Later, he became a notary for the Pope's court in Avignon, France. This court was called the Rota. When Pope Gregory XI moved back to Rome in 1377, Dietrich went with him.
Pope Urban VI noticed Dietrich and gave him a job in the Pope's office. In 1383, Dietrich traveled with the Pope to Naples to visit Charles III of Naples. This trip was full of problems. Dietrich left the Pope's service in 1385 to escape these troubles. By 1387, he was back working for the Pope. In 1395, Pope Boniface IX tried to make him a bishop in Verden, but Dietrich was not able to take that position. Around 1401, Dietrich studied at the university in Erfurt, Germany.
Towards the end of the 1300s, a man named Johann Peters started a hospital in Rome for German travelers. It was called Santa Maria dell' Anima. Dietrich helped a lot with this new hospital. He is seen as one of its main founders, after Peters himself.
Dietrich returned to his work in the Pope's office in 1403. He started writing a history book, but only parts of it still exist today. Dietrich is most famous for his role in the Great Schism. This was a time when there were two or even three Popes at once, which caused a lot of confusion in the Church.
He traveled with Pope Gregory XII to Lucca in 1408. Dietrich was in Germany during the Council of Pisa, so he didn't attend it. But he supported the Pope chosen by that council, Pope Alexander V, and his successor, Antipope Pope John XXIII. He went back to work for this Pope. As the problems in the Church grew worse, Dietrich became a strong supporter of calling a big meeting, known as a general council. He attended the Council of Constance as an advisor for the German group. Dietrich died in Maastricht on March 22, 1418.
Dietrich wrote about events he was deeply involved in or knew a lot about. His most important books are the Nemus unionis and the De schismate. The Nemus unionis was put together in Lucca. It is a collection of important papers, letters, and statements he gathered during talks to unite the Church.
His book, De schismate libri III, was finished in 1410. It tells the story of events since 1376 from his point of view. He continued this history in another book called Historia de vita Johannis XXIII. These books are very important for understanding the end of the Great Schism. However, Dietrich had strong opinions, so his judgments about people and events should be read carefully.
Dietrich's Writings
Here are some of Dietrich's other important works:
- De bono regimine Rom. pontificis: This book was dedicated to the new Pope, John XXIII.
- De modis uniendiae reformandi ecclesiam and De difficultate reformationis in concilia universali: In these books, Dietrich argued for a general council to be called. He believed the Pope should follow the council's decisions.
- Contra dampnatos Wiclivitas Pragae: This work was written against the followers of John Huss, known as the Hussites.
- Jura ad privilegia imperil: This book praised the Holy Roman Empire. It was written before the Council of Constance.
- Avisamenta pelcherrima de unions et reformatione membrorum et capitis fienda: This book presented Dietrich's ideas for reforming the Church. His ideas came from his experiences with the problems of the papal system.
