Notker Physicus facts for kids

Notker Physicus (born around 900 – died November 12, 975) was a talented monk who lived at the Abbey of Saint Gall in what is now Switzerland. He was known for many skills, including being a doctor, painter, music composer, and poet. Notker is most famous for his medical abilities, and he might have been the personal physician to the powerful Holy Roman Emperors Otto I and Otto II.

People called him physicus, which means "the physician" in Latin, because of his medical skills. He also had another nickname, piperis granum, meaning "pepper grain," because he was very dedicated to his life as a monk. To avoid confusion with other monks named Notker, he is sometimes called Notker II. He lived after Notker the Stammerer and before Notker Labeo, both also from Saint Gall.

Life at Saint Gall Abbey

Notker spent his entire life at the Abbey of Saint Gall, a famous monastery. We don't know his exact birth year, but historians believe he was born around 900.

We know a few important dates from his life. By 956 or 957, he became the cellarius, which means he was an administrator in charge of the monastery's supplies and finances. Later, by 965, he took on the role of hospitarius, acting as the monastery's doctor. Notker might also have been a notarius, or a notary, someone who officially writes down agreements.

Serving the Emperors

Because of his great medical knowledge, Notker likely became the doctor for the Holy Roman Emperors Otto I and Otto II. These emperors ruled a large empire in Europe during the Middle Ages. Having a monk from Saint Gall as their physician shows how respected Notker was.

One of Notker's students was a person named Balther von Säckingen. Balther even dedicated a book he wrote, called Vita sancti Fridolin, to Notker, showing his respect for his teacher. Notker Physicus passed away on November 12, 975.

The Notker Family at Saint Gall

Notker Physicus was one of several important monks named Notker at the Abbey of Saint Gall. He was the second in this line, following Notker the Stammerer and preceding Notker Labeo. Interestingly, another Notker, who was the abbot (head) of Saint Gall from 971 to 975, was his nephew. This abbot Notker died shortly after Notker Physicus, on December 15, 975.

Artistic and Musical Talents

Notker Physicus was not just a doctor; he was also a talented artist. He created several paintings that were highly praised by a writer named Ekkehard IV. Notker's paintings were especially important during the restoration efforts after a fire damaged the Abbey of Saint Gall in 937.

Ekkehard IV also mentioned that Notker wrote poems, though these poems are now lost. Notker also composed at least two pieces of music:

• An office (a type of prayer service music) for Saint Othmar, called "Rector aeterni metuende saecli."
• A hymn (a religious song) dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as "Hymnum beatae virgini."

These works show that Notker Physicus was a truly multi-talented individual, contributing to medicine, art, and music during his time.