The abbot and the empress's ghost

Johannes Trithemius (1462–1516) was born in Trittenheim and became abbot of Sponheim. He was one of the most learned men of his age – which is exactly why eerie stories soon grew up around him.

The best known tells of Emperor Maximilian I, mourning his young wife Mary of Burgundy. Trithemius is said to have conjured up the empress's ghost so that Maximilian could see her once more – silent, pale and so lifelike that it took his breath away.

None of this is historically documented. But the legend fitted Trithemius's reputation: his books on secret writing were full of mysterious incantations. Only centuries later did it emerge that they hid encrypted messages – not spirits.

Legends are traditions, not historical facts.