I, Helene Kottannerin

This remarkable translation portrays Helene Kottannerin’s thrilling and rare autobiographical tale of stealing the Hungarian royal crown in 1440 to protect the throne for the unborn heir of Queen Elizabeth of Luxembourg.

In a time of political uncertainty following King Albert II’s death, the pregnant and widowed queen entrusted her lady-in-waiting, Helene, with the daring mission to retrieve the kingdom’s Holy Crown from the castle of Visegrád. Helene’s successful theft not only altered the course of Hungarian history but also inspired her to compose one of the most extraordinary autobiographical documents of late medieval Central Europe – a rarity for its time, especially from a woman’s perspective. Esteemed historians and translators Julia Burkhardt, Christina Lutter, and Jonathan R. Lyon offer an up-to-date English translation of Helene’s vivid narrative, originally written in Early New High German. Supplemented by the authors’ insightful commentary on the history, culture, and implications surrounding Helene’s actions and writing, this book is a unique historical source accessible to students and general readers alike.

Helene’s enthralling story provides an unparalleled window into the world of fifteenth-century court politics, female agency, and the power of personal testimony.