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Copy of the rule (Regel) of the Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit) in Eichstätt, issued by Heinrich, Bishop
of Eichstätt (Wir Heinrich von gotes genaden pischof ze Eysten, f. 1v), probably the last of four bishops by that name who
held office between 1225 and 1259, namely Heinrich IV (1247-1259); the other possible authors are Heinrich I (1225-1228),
Heinrich II (1228-1232), and Heinrich III (1233-1237). The rule governed the way of life of the monastic community (Bruderschaft,
f. 7v) of priests, brothers and sisters who ran the hospital, and was evidently issued by the bishop at the request of a preexisting
group (f. 1v). It is modeled on the rule of the Heilig-Geist-Orden (Order of the Holy Spirit) for the care of the sick founded
by Guido von Montpellier around 1195, although it was independent of that order; and it is indirectly related to the rules
of the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God and of St. Augustine (Bauch). The statutes address such aspects as manner
of accepting new members, including required vows (chastity, poverty and obedience, as well as service to the sick); hierarchy
and responsibilities of members, with a male and a female leader of brothers and sisters, respectively (Maister, Maisterin;
f. 8r); dress; manner of taking in and caring for the sick; handling of income and property; accommodation of guests; customs
of eating and drinking; care of sick members; punishments for offenses; confession; guidelines for pious living (Wie man geislich
sul werden, f. 10r; Ain gut Lere, f. 10v); and manner of accepting lay people as affiliated members (known as a Third Order;
Dritter Orden, Tertiarenbruderschaft). The manuscript contains numerous corrections in the same hand. An addendum, which is
written in a different hand and dated either 1335 or 1435 (f. 1r), concerns the conditions for members receiving a sinecure
or living (Pfründe, f. 1r). The manuscript is a sewn booklet, with gatherings detached from each other.
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