Textbook for Emperor Maximilian I.

Textbook for Emperor Maximilian I – The First Schoolbook of the "Last Knight"

This magnificent textbook from the 15th century was created for the young Maximilian I, the future Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. As a seven-year-old prince, he learned to read and write with this book, starting with the alphabet, the Lord's Prayer, and other basic prayers.

The book contains 14 exquisite miniatures, including a depiction of Maximilian with his teacher Jakob von Fladnitz. The splendid decoration with gilded initials, leaf scrolls, and imaginative animals reflects the high book art of the time. The manuscript was donated by Stephan Heuner, a citizen of Vienna, to provide the young Habsburg with an education befitting his status.