Langenstein, Heinrich Heinbuch von

Theologian, church politician

Born: 1325 in Langenstein (district of Marburg)

died: 11.02.1397 in Vienna

Langenstein came from a poor family with many children, left his home during a famine and studied theology and a large number of scientific writings in Paris. The first certain date in Langenstein's life is February 20, 1363, when he completed the trivium, the basic course of study at high medieval universities (grammar, dialectics and rhetoric of the seven liberal arts) and obtained a bachelor's degree. In the same year, he began his teaching career and obtained the degree of Magister Artium by 1376.

In his most famous writings on church politics, the "Epistola pacis" and "Epistola concilii pacis", written in 1379 and 1381 respectively, Langenstein vehemently demanded the convening of a church council to abolish the schism that had occurred in 1379 (the Great Western Schism). As the disputes intensified, he left Paris in April 1382 and came to the Rheingau via Liège, where he lived in Eberbach Abbey. He visited Mainz and Wiesbaden several times and described the bathing life there.

In 1392, Langenstein accepted an appointment as professor at the newly founded Faculty of Theology at the University of Vienna, where he served as rector in 1393/94. During his time there, he made a name for himself through his involvement in the formulation of the university register and his commitment to improving the material facilities.

Langenstein was buried in St. Stephen's Cathedral in front of the altar of the Holy Apostles.