Medieval priest, physician, theologian and poet from Alsace, France
Gottfried von Hagenau (also known as Götz von Hagenau, Gozzo de Hagenowe, Goetz de Haguenau, Godefridus Haguenonensis, and several other names)[1] was a medieval priest, physician, theologian and poet from Alsace.[2] As his name suggests, he was probably born in Haguenau, before 1275.[2]
After having studied medicine and theology in Strasbourg and in Paris, he worked as a headmaster in Basel, Switzerland,[2] before settling as a physician in Strasbourg, where he applied for the post of canon at the St Thomas' Church. He was at first rejected but successfully sued against that decision before the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, and was instated as canon of St Thomas' Church in 1300.[3] He died on 26 September 1313 and is buried in the church, where his ornate Gothicledger stone is preserved to this day. That monument depicts him in clerical attire and holding a book; the inscription says (the letters in brackets are missing): ANNO D[OMI]NI MCCCXIII VI KA[LENDAS] OCTOBR[IS] O[BIIT] MAG[ISTE]R GOZ[ZO] DE HAGENOWE MEDICUS CANONICUS S[ANCTI] THOME ARG[EN]T[INENSIS].[3]
In 1307, Gottfried introduced the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the parish of St Thomas' Church, where it was celebrated until the church became Protestant in 1524. He donated his fortune to the parish for this purpose.[2]
^ abcArbogast, Jean (2013). Épitaphes et monuments funéraires Église Saint-Thomas Strasbourg. Eckbolsheim: Éditions du Signe. p. 28. ISBN978-2-7468-3070-7.