The Monumenta Germaniae Historica (frequently abbreviated MGH in bibliographies and lists of sources) is a comprehensive series of carefully edited and published sources for the study of German history (broadly conceived) from the end of the Roman Empire to 1500. This article gives an overview of the History of Germany. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ...

The society to sponsor the series was established by the Prussian reformer Heinrich Friedrich Karl Freiherr vom Stein in 1819 and the first volumes appeared in 1826 and following years. The editor from 1826 until 1874 was Georg Heinrich Pertz, who was succeeded by Georg Waitz. Many eminent medievalists from Germany and, eventually, other countries, joined in the project of searching out and comparing manuscripts and producing scholarly editions. The motto chosen by Klein, Sanctus amor patriae dat animum ("Holy love for the fatherland gives the spirit") is an important example of the coincidence of Romantic nationalism and highly professional scholarship. Flag of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1894-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Old Prussian: Prūsa; Polish: ) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ... Heinrich Friedrich Karl, Baron vom und zum Stein Heinrich Friedrich Karl, Reichsfreiherr vom und zum Stein (Baron vom und zum Stein), October 26, 1757 - June 29, 1831), was a German statesman, born on the family estate near Nassau. ... The oldest surviving photograph, Nicéphore Niépce, circa 1826 1826 (MDCCCXXVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Georg Heinrich Pertz (March 28, 1795 - October 7, 1876), was a German historian. ... Georg Waitz (October 9, 1813 - May 24, 1886), German historian, was born at Flensburg, in the duchy of Schleswig. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The collection consists of five main areas, Antiquitates, Diplomata, Epistolae, Leges,Scriptores as well as Necrologia. Many subsidiary series have also been established, including a series of more compact volumes for school use (Scriptores in usum scholarum) and special studies (MGH Schriften).

The project, one of the greatest group efforts of historical scholarship, continues in the 21st century. In 2004, the MGH, with the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, took a step which makes it even more extraordinary: all of its publications which have been in print for more than five years can now be read online, in photo-digital reproduction, via a link on the MGH homepage.

External link

• The MGH homepage (in German)
• Digital MGH homepage (in German)