Scribe from Styria documents his journey in Jerusalem over half a millennium ago
Article: Medieval Noble's Coat of Arms Discovered in Jerusalem's Holy Site
In the heart of Jerusalem, a historical discovery has been unearthed that offers a glimpse into the Middle Ages and the international pilgrimage to the holy city. A Styrian nobleman, Tristram von Teuffenbach, left an enduring mark on the Upper Room, a site traditionally associated with the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
Tristram von Teuffenbach, a member of the Teuffenbach family from Styria, made a significant journey to Jerusalem during the 15th century. Jerusalem was a significant pilgrimage and crusading destination during the medieval period, and Tristram's presence there suggests a person of standing who undertook a pilgrimage or a military journey to the Holy Land.
The most compelling evidence of Tristram's visit is the Teuffenbach coat of arms etched into the walls of the Upper Room. This act of placing a noble family's coat of arms in such an important religious and historic location was a symbolic gesture, reflecting the pilgrim’s status, faith, and connection to the holy city.
The Upper Room, part of a Franciscan monastery during the late Middle Ages, has been the site of mementos being carved for centuries. Researchers have identified many medieval "tags" or graffiti in the building on Mount Zion using new methods. These graffiti offer new insights into the geographical diversity and international pilgrimage to Jerusalem during the Middle Ages, expanding beyond the Western-centric research perspective.
The graffiti found in the Upper Room include inscriptions, coats of arms, and drawings, some of which are attributed to famous individuals like Johannes Poloner from Regensburg and the patrician family von Rümlingen from Bern. An Armenian inscription from Christmas 1300 may provide evidence that Armenian King Het'um II and his troops reached Jerusalem after a battle in present-day Syria in 1299.
The international research team involved in the analysis of the graffiti includes the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA), and Armenian scholars. Their findings were published in the journal "Liber Annuus".
Notorious taggers in the Vienna area have made headlines with their signatures in recent years, but the practice of carving mementos in holy sites is reminiscent of modern "tagging" in urban spaces. However, the significance of these medieval tags lies not in vandalism, but in the historical record they provide, offering a unique perspective on the international pilgrimage to Jerusalem during the Middle Ages.
In summary, Tristram von Teuffenbach left his family’s coat of arms in the Upper Room of Jerusalem as a symbolic act of devotion and noble presence in the Holy Land. This discovery not only sheds light on the medieval pilgrimage but also serves as a testament to the enduring connection between noble families and the Christian heritage of Jerusalem.
- The Teuffenbach coat of arms, etched by the medieval nobleman Tristram von Teuffenbach, is a symbolic gesture reflecting his status, faith, and connection to the holy city, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle and travel of a noble during the Middle Ages.
- The Upper Room in Jerusalem, although now associated with modern-day tagging in urban spaces, was once a site where medieval pilgrims, like Tristram von Teuffenbach, traveled to express their devotion, and the graffiti they left behind offer a unique travel records and insights into the international pilgrimage during the Middle Ages.
