ADAM OF BREMEN:
Author of the Gesta Hammenburgensis ecclesiae pontificum, a history
of the archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen extending down to the death of Adalbert
(1072). The work itself tells of its author only that his name began with
"A," that he came to Bremen in 1068 and ultimately became a canon
there, and that he wrote the book between the death of Adalbert and that
of King Svend Estridsen of Denmark (1072-76). But there is no doubt that
this is the work referred to by Helmold and assigned to a Magister Adam;
in which case the author must he the Adam magister scholarum who
wrote and was one of the signatories to an extant document of Jan.11,
1069, and also the same whose death on Oct.12, year not given, is recorded
in a Bremen register.
It may be conjectured from scanty indications that Adam was born in upper
Saxony and educated at Magdeburg. His education was in any case a thorough
one for his time. His book is one of the best historical works of the Middle
Ages. Not only is it the principal source for the early history of the
archbishopric and its northern missions, but it gives many valuable data
both for Germany and other countries. The author was unusually well provided
with documents and with the qualities necessary for their use. His general
credibility and love of truth have never been seriously challenged; and
his impartiality is shown by the way in which he records the weaknesses
of Adalbert, with whom he was in close relations and whom he admired. The
best edition of Adam's book is by J. M. Lappenberg, in MGH, Script.,
vii. (1846) 267-389 (issued separately, Hanover, 1846; 2d ed., with
full introduction and notes, 1876); the work is also in MPL, cxlvi.
451-620. There is a German translation by J. C..M. Laurent (2d ed., revised
by W. Wattenbach, Leipsic, 1888). (CARL BERTHEAU.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY: J. H. a Seelen, De Adamo Bremensi, in his Miscellanea,
ii., 415-493, Lubeck, 1736; L, Giesebrecht, Historische und
literarische Abhandlung der Konigsberger
deutschen Gesellschaft, ed. F. W. Schubert. iii. 141, Konigsberger,
1834; W. Giesebrecht, Geschichte der deutschen Kaiserzeit, i. 752.
Brunswick. 1874; G. Dehio, Geschichte des Erzbistums Hamburg-Bremen,
i.. 176-177. Berlin, 1877; W. Wattenbach, DGQ, iii. (1894) 78-82;
Hauck, KD, iii.