Martin Luther a.o.: Concordia. Christliche, Widerholete einmütige Bekentnüs nachbenanter Churfürsten, Fürsten und Stende Augspurgischer Confession, und derselben Theologen Lere und glaubens. Dresden: Matthes Stoeckel and Gimel Bergen 1580.
3,-61 2º

Front cover with Duke Ulrich’s initials and motto	Note on fly leaf in which Queen Sophie says that her valet has read this book to her	Title page	Fol. A4r: Augspurgische Confession

The Book of Concord consists of a collection of central writings on Lutheran theology. It was compiled in Germany in the 1570’s by a group of Lutheran theologians. The purpose was to establish the orthodox Lutheran standpoint on a number of controversial theological issues.
The Danish King, Frederik II, did not want to accede to the Book of Concord. It is even said that he threw the book in the fire when he received it. Queen Sophie, however, appears not to have shared her husband’s aversion. She owned this magnificent copy of the Book of Concord – in which she personally noted that her valet read it to her from cover to cover: “Dis boch hatt mich mein kamer dener Johim van barneze (i.e. Joachim Barnewitz) von anfank bis zum ende vorgelesen, der liebe gott gebe das ich nutzlich muge zugehoret haben Sophia konigin zu Denemarcken/wittwe”. Since she signs herself: wittwe (i.e. widow), the note can be dated after 1588 when Frederik II died.
The previous owner of the book was the Queen’s father, Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg. That is evident from the initials on the front cover, V H Z M, which stand for Vlrich Herzog Zu Mecklenburg. Below, the initials of his motto are seen: H G V V G (Herr Gott Verleih Vns Gnade). Below the central decoration his wife Elisabeth’s motto is placed: A N G W (Alles Nach Gottes Willen).

32.2 x 20.5 cm.

Reference (in Danish): Bjørn Kornerup, “Danmark og Konkordiebogen”, Kirkehistoriske Samlinger, 7th Series, Vol. 3, pp. 217-248.

© Det Kongelige Bibliotek 2004