Udo von Magdeburg

Udo von Magdeburg, an anonymous Middle High German verse legend of some 800 lines, which was written in the 14th c. It recounts the life, death, and damnation of Archbishop Udo of Magdeburg, a fictitious prelate, whose story probably originated with Udo, Bishop of Hildesheim, in the late 11th c. and early 12th c.

Udo, a poor scholar, is given wisdom and understanding by the Virgin Mary, who promises him that he shall be archbishop of Magdeburg; but as archbishop he neglects his duties and lives in sin with nuns and an abbess. He is summoned to a divine judgement in the cathedral, which is accidentally witnessed by a canon. Udo is found guilty and executed. The same day a chaplain sees the Archbishop's soul seized by the Devil, tormented until he curses God, and consigned to everlasting torment. Finally, the disposal of his noisome body causes acute difficulties to the capitular authorities.