Frau Ava
Item
Author
Frau Ava
Location
Gottweig Abbey, Austria
Dates
1060 – 1127
Biography
Frau Ava, also known as Ava of Göttweig or Ava of Melk, was the first named female writer in any genre in the German language. Ava the poet is usually identified as a certain Ava who after the death of her husband lived as an anchorite on the estate of Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria, near Krems, or perhaps in Melk Abbey.
Works
Johannes (John the Baptist), Leben Jesu (Life of Jesus) with a final section on Die 7 Gaben des Heiligen Geistes (The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit"), Antichrist, Das Jüngste Gericht (The Last Judgment)
Languages
German
Genres
Poetry
Editions and Translations
Rushing, James, 2003. Ava's New Testament Narratives: When the Old Law Passed Away (Edition with English translations of "Johannes" and "Life of Jesus"). Kalamazoo.
Archival Holdings
Vorauer Handschrift (Vorauer Manuscript) containing "Leben Jesu" ("Jesus, The Son of God") with a final section on "Die 7 Gaben des Heiligen Geistes" ("The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit"), "Antichrist", and "Das Jüngste Gericht": cod. 276, Vorau Abbey, Austria.
