Hitto of Freising

Hitto of Freising (died 835) was the sixth Bishop of Freising in the Duchy of Bavaria. He held the office from December 811 to 835.

Bishop Hitto

He was descended from the Huosi family, part of the Bavarian upper aristocracy (Hochadel). In 794, the cleric became the deacon of Freising Cathedral and was frequently named as a witness in the Freising documents. He is first recorded as Bishop of Freising in 812, his predecessor, Atto, however, had died over a year earlier.

During his time in office, the monk and notary, Kozroh (or Cozroh), compiled the first Freising Book of Traditions (Freisinger Traditionsbuch). The work consists of three parts; the first was a cartulary of legal documents during the time of previous bishops (730-811); the second was a cartulary of legal conveyances and litigations under Hitto (811-835); the third part was a record of the transactions under Hitto's successor, Erchanbert, up to the year 848.[1]

Under Hitto, the Freising scriptorium reached a special high point;[2] for example, about 40 codices were written. In addition, over 300 documents from Hitto's time in office have survived.

Hitto worked to establish episcopal supremacy over the many, hitherto aristocratic, independent monasteries within the diocese (such as Schliersee Abbey in 817, Schäftlarn Abbey in 821 or 828, and Innichen Abbey in 822). He was also the founder of Weihenstephan Abbey around 830. Hitto also attempted to introduce the Rule of St. Benedict, but faced resistance from other clergy.[3] While compiling the cartularies, Cozroh drew attention to Hitto's passion in reforming sacred studies and liturgy.[4]

According to an old tradition, during his pilgrimage to Rome in 834 Hitto was given the relics of Saint Justin by Pope Gregory IV, and brought them to Freising.

Hitto was buried in the cathedral crypt at Freising and his sarcophagus is preserved. His nephew Erchanbert became his successor.