Stella clericorum.

A scarce incunabular edition, attributed to Mathias van der Goes of Antwerp, of this classic manual for priests from the C13. It was ‘an admonition to priests to live a moral life worthy of their high calling. […] Priests should acquire learning, develop eloquence, and practice upright living’ (Milway, p.129), as well as know and understand the Scriptures, as stated in one of the first sections. The title is inspired by the initial comparison saying that priests may share, allegorically, the properties of the morning star. The manual encouraged priests to take proper care of their pastoral duties, each section dealing with topics such as properly preparing their homilies. Supported by copious citations from the Church Fathers and written in the second person as a direct address, the work begins by stating that priests should lead by example, living a frugal life, eschewing temptation, etc., so as to avoid being ‘beheaded and carried by the feet like a rooster, to the Gehenna’. Also important is the correct way of managing benefices, not to incur into the sin of simony, and the cultivation of knowledge and eloquence, as well as compassion, hospitality and giving alms, material or spiritual (i.e., for the souls in purgatory). Priests are called ‘the illuminators of faith’, as examples of piety. They should dress appropriately, never fight, be chaste (as ‘the devil most rejoices at fornication’), and never receive money for favours (so as ‘not to be like Judas’). And all priests that do not conform should be removed from office. The potential different ethical reference points for priests as compared to lay people – e.g., a sinning priest will always be morally better than a virtuous lay person and can only be prosecuted by episcopal courts – caused the discontent of Reformed thinkers such as John Hus.

Matthias van der Goes was the second printer recorded in Antwerp, from 1481 to 1492. There is a (possible) connection between Caxton and van der Goes. A trial impression of a Caxton woodblock made c.1490 appears in light ink on the final leaf of “Colloquium peccatoris et crucifixi Jesu Christi” by J. de Gruytrode, printed in Antwerp by van der Goes between 1487 and 1490. It includes Pity and underneath the text of an English indulgence, otherwise unrecorded. This may suggest contacts between Caxton and van der Goes, and the latter’s possible acquisition of the block from Caxton (Driver, p.185).