bavarikon4UDescription
In the Bamberg Cathedral Treasure, six so-called imperial robes have been preserved. They are considered mementos of the diocese’s founders Emperor Heinrich II († 1024) and his wife Kunigunde († 1033). This group also includes the Bamberg Rationale as an imperial donation for the first bishop of the diocese Eberhard I (1007-1040). The photo shows the rear view and thus the main viewing side of this world's oldest surviving rationale. Usually a rationale is a liturgical, usually episcopal shoulder insignia. But the Bamberg Rationale was attached to a chasuble made of deep blue silk from the beginning. This peculiarity was adopted in the transfer of the embroidery from 1454-1456 despite the now ancient form. This repair measure had become necessary because due to its liturgical use the rational had become defective. The embroidery of the Bamberg Rationale therefore was transferred to a blue silk damask with a pomegranate pattern (Italy, around 1450). Since the bishop of Bamberg already in 1053 had been awarded the higher-ranking pallium by Pope Leo IX. (1040-1954), in Bamberg the rationale was no longer used by the bishop, but could be worn by the priest on duty. Its use is documented up to the middle of the 17th century, but also the lining with which the garment was provided in 1722 shows signs of use.