ABSTRACT
According to its author, the Vade mecum in tribulacione was a manual that offered two things in particular to its readers: an exact description of the apocalyptic events of the coming thirteen years between 1356 and 1370 and advice on surviving the imminent catastrophe. Rupescissa announced that the Vade mecum would provide knowledge of the impending dangers and the menacing seducers, 2 suggest suitable refuges and the necessary means of survival 3 and give spiritual advice about the Christian way of life which would bring salvation 4 – concisely 5 and without cumbersome proofs. 6 Anyone who thoroughly studied this manual should be able to take precautions and prepare himself and others in advance. 7 Thus Rupescissa promised a kind of ‘life insurance’ for the
1 See above, Vade mecum ( Versio plena=VM ) § 6. 2 VM § 13: ( . . . ) ad previdendum foveam preparatam, ad precavendum a periculis et ad vitandum
errores, ad cognoscendum seductores propinquos, ad aperiendum oculos mentis, ad fugiendum varios laqueos ( . . . ).
