Johannes von Hildesheim, Kaiser Karl IV. und Johann von Neumarkt

As an author of letters, John of Hildesheim ( 1310/1320–1375 ) ranks among the outstanding figures of the late Middle Ages in Germany. His network included popes, papal officials, bishops, secular princes, representatives of cities, and numerous scholars of all kinds. The letters are literary masterpieces intended to impress their respective addressees. In this epistolary oeuvre, the court of Prague occupies the most prominent position ( alongside the papal curia ). Especially in the years 1367/1368, John attempted to establish a personal relationship with Emperor Charles IV ( 1316–1378 ) and his chancellor John of Neumarkt ( before 1320–1380 ). This essay shows the communicative methods that John used to obtain an invitation to Prague and the patronage of the emperor.