Zur Ausstellung und Datierung von D O I. 50 – Magdeburg, 5. Oktober 950?

Abstract

Despite its short text and moderate proportions, D O I 50 constitutes an important and hith-erto neglected witness to the early years of Otto I. On account of its clearly incorrect (and contradictory) dating clause (Magdeburg, 5 October 966), the diploma was initially dubbed a forgery by Karl Friedrich Stumpf. Since the work of Theodor Sickel, however, it has been considered beyond reproach, since it was written by an otherwise attested hand (that of Bru-no C); Sickel also dated it (following Stumpf) to 5 October 942. By contrast, the present note takes up the earlier suggestion of Hans Sudendorf, who wished to date the charter to the period of widowerhood of Otto I (946–951). It strengthens this argument by a compari-son with D O I 129, which was likewise written by Bruno C and supposedly issued in Mag-deburg in early October (7 October) 966. Both pieces clearly belong together and are in all probability to be dated to 5 and 7 October 950.