The Codex Gigas (The "Devil's Bible")
The Codex Gigas (“giant book”), also known as the Devil’s Bible, dates to around 1230 CE and is thought to be one of the world’s largest illuminated manuscripts.
The Codex Gigas was once considered the eighth wonder of the world; the book is three feet long and weighs a hundred and sixty-five pounds. It has 600 pages which, contrary to legend, are made from calf skins, not donkey skins.
Herman the Gothic Nerd
Two nights ago I watched a documentary about the Devil’s Bible, the largest medieval manuscript in existance. It’s over 800 years old, is three feet long, about a foot-and-a-half thick, weighs about 165 pounds, and is made entirely out of donkey skins. The book itself contains the Latin Bible, spells, exorcisms, incantations, knowledge of medicines, and this famous image of Satan himself: http://25.media.tumblr.com/HWq9NwIcgpk1jjeinV2GMf7Ho1_500.jpg
According to legend, the book was composed in one night after a damned monk sold his soul to the Devil.
Modern science has proven that the book was in fact written by just one monk who was most likely called Herman the Recluse. Experts believe that he wrote the book over a period of 20 years, possibly as a penance. In the documentary, one expert, when discussing how Herman’s depiction of Satan was amateurish at best, referred to Herman as a “gothic nerd.”
Fast-forward 24 hours.
During my date with Adam, I was telling him about the documentary and Herman the Recluse. He starts laughing and goes, “Herman. The guy’s name was Herman? *in a dweeby voice* Hi, I’m Herman. I wrote the Devil’s Bible. *normal voice* I’m gonna name my kid Herman just for that reason.” We then spent the next 10 minutes or so making fun of the name Herman and how this little dweeb managed to get Satan’s attention.
And then I told him about the guy who said that Herman was a gothic nerd and
he just starts laughing even harder.
A few minutes later we start making out and in the middle of it I start giggling. Without even opening his eyes Adam says, “You were thinking about Herman, weren’t you?” I nod and start laughing again and he goes, “I fucking knew it!
You were thinking about other men!”
By the way, for those of you that are interested, you can find the documentary at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSTVUU7fqMo