Trithemius Corpus

Clavis Generalis Triplex in Libros Steganographicos

Threefold General Key to the Steganographic Books

prdl-70281_clavis-generalis-triplex-in-libros-steganographicos · Style C / Cipher-key tables

Machine translation No complete human review documented 6 chunks Cryptography & the Occult

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) (1635, Frankfurt) — Cipher tables

Source witness: Herzog August Bibliothek (HAB) Wolfenbüttel, 14 Astron.. Clavis generalis triplex — the triple key to the Steganographia. Uses a different cipher convention (letter-pair substitution, not letter-to-Latin-word substitution); rendering is partial.

What you are looking at

The Clavis generalis triplex is the triple-key to Trithemius's Steganographia. It documents thirty-nine modi of concealment, of which six are rendered here as cipher tables. Unlike the Polygraphia substitution scheme (plaintext letter → Latin word), the Clavis triplex uses letter-pair substitution: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The OCR text records this as comma-separated pairs of the form Ax,bz,ca,db… — read as A→x, b→z, c→a, d→b, …. The substitution alphabet is designed to look like nonsense; the secret intentional message that the cipher conceals (the intentio mysterii) is given alongside it in early-modern German.

How to read the table files

The substitution columns from this work's source are rendered per chunk under translations/style-c-cipher-key/full/. This work contributes 6 cipher-key chunks; 5 parse cleanly into Style C tables and 1 fall back to a verbatim source rendering (see Honest limits below).

Each chunk file:

  • Identifies the source chunk (e.g. full_chunk_0025).
  • States the per-page-section detected patterns:
  • A — one entry per line (single substitution column, or several columns concatenated on one page).
  • B — two or three columns interleaved per line (a X a Y or a X a Y a Z), with optional trailing source line-numbers.
  • D — letter plus several numeric cipher values per line.
  • Renders an alphabet-down / columns-across markdown table aligned by Trithemius's 24-letter alphabet (a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t v x y z w, omitting j and u), plus an optional 25th zu / zv / tv slot for the v-ligature.

Honest limits

  • OCR scannos are preserved as-they-appear in cell values (e.g. Vtigiz for Vtique, fabricatosem for fabricatorem, pissislimum for piissimum). The v1 parser repairs positional OCR errors in the letter markers (long-s misread as f; 2v misread for zv; iv/lv for zv) but does not repair content — that is a translation-quality problem (handled by the GPT-5.5 audit pipeline), not a layout problem.
  • Dropped column markers: where a row had its column marker dropped by OCR (e.g. a misericordislima factorem instead of a misericordislima a factorem), the parser splits the value into N equal pieces when N matches the section's modal cells-per-row, and leaves the value merged otherwise.
  • Letter-marker repair via positional alignment: when a column is near-full (≥ 18 entries), each entry's letter marker is rewritten to its positional canonical alphabet slot. This catches the common long-s/f confusion (where row s was rendered as f by the OCR) but assumes the column traverses the alphabet sequentially from a.
  • Wide multi-alphabet tables: a subset of chunks (1 of 6 for this work) hold very wide octo-modus tables that the v1 parser cannot sub-split into individual columns. These fall back to a verbatim rendering of the source OCR, with a comment indicating the parser's limit.

Provenance

Auto-generated from the OCR'd source by scripts/render_style_cipher_key.py and scripts/build_cipher_book_intro.py. The OCR pipeline, manual chunk reclassification (Phase 0.5), and GPT-5.5 audit are documented in data/corpus/_PHASE_05_FINDINGS.md and METHODOLOGY_GPT_AUDIT.md. This Style C rendering is one of the four content-type rendering styles chosen for the crypto-occult cluster after the 2026-05-30 Phase 1 specimen review.

Per-chunk renderings

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — value-table chunk full_chunk_0031

A label-and-number table (numeral values, spirit-army strengths, or similar) recovered from the source list. Read alongside the facsimile.

symbol / rank value
Oriens
Duxes majoris 1000
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
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Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Subduces 200
Duxes minoris 500
Sub
--- Page 070 ---

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — letter-pair cipher chunk full_chunk_0113

Steganographia clavis convention: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The substitution is designed so the cipher letters can be padded into a Latin prose Exemplum that reads as ordinary devotional writing -- only the recipient who knows the alphabet can decode the embedded German Intentio.

Page header: 'Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh.'

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A x
b z
c a
d b
e c
f d
g e
h f
i g
k h
l i
m k
n l
o m
p r
i g
o r
s q
a r
v s
x i
s v

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Ich bittedich komm von stund an zu mir/ es thut sehr noth.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

G. af.g b e f g a f h m k e m l q r f i b x l v j k g r g q b f e q
etp mgr.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*C Reator genyri humani apice Deus famelis suor Zelo rellitudine gu- berna quatenus bene conueniant sancti celestiumus praemium gaudium exultium. Adiuvans fragilis mistrag, homines antiquae moribus exornat catholicae pietatis fanfro que amamus, mentes noftrae lumine illuftra quatenus nunquam recolamus paifforum, jubilo cum lacrymis operibus bonis Iefu Chri- ste. Salvator liberat nos vi-tute effe seffi sarguimus tui catholicae unitate fub gubernat falsoa populum tamen grauerit effistum, quem didam beatisime effu- sio sanguine in cruce moriens redemitifi, apifice quaeo affi gitur grauifime po- pulus [ub cruadelifiino Turco, libera nos miçeros per gratiam qua redim sti nos, Amen. Ioan Trith, Abe., Anno domini M T D. Tertius modus per singulas significatiuas pro- greditur, & literis in tertiam praec- dentem transferitur. Tertius modus huic secundi capituli per singulas delitiones significatiuas prima progredivit. Et cuiuslibet delitione litera prima in tertiam im- mediatae transferitur, im vi A captatur vique tertia ante ipfum per z. & quarta ria sia confequenter, ut patet per ipfae literas et numeros in rotula positis, potifit autem siffae mo du variati quemadmodum et ca. eri non fo- lum progredivit per singulas significatiuas, fed etiam per alternas, binas, ter- bas, quaternas vel plures ad placitum cuiuilibet ferentis.

--- Page 252 ---

Clavis Steganographiae*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A m
b x
c r
d a
e b
f o
g a
e i
f k
g t
h m
i u
k o
l p
m q
n r
q s
p q
r s
u v
x j

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Bringer diß Briefifs ein böser Knabet nit geträt ihm zu viel.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

Xobkaboapxofbepgbxkxpbogkuxxbkfqdbqorkfib
zefh

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*C Harifimum optimum benifimung, catholifcorum defensorum bea necidentes oportet adverem fideliter per Christifum omnis facit. bo nam charifem fideliponat, quiftem beantutadimia fides catholifca Christifma laudos per bono opera, pandat, catholifcus vifter Christifum bonie catholifci C faliu quofdie deuerifima benedicat, quoniam ornafimia religionis balthifca falle

Kodak Gray Scale

--- Page 253 ---

Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh. 59 felicitatem infinitem beatitudine tenebit, remunerationem capiens fulgentissimi honoris. Ioh. Trith. Anno Domini, M. CCCC, XCIX: feliciter. Quartus modus singulis dictionibus significantibus vituris fed litera in quartam praecedentem transferuntur. Q Vartus modus ifisit: Capitali per singulas significativus infirar praecedentia ex ordine progrederetur, fed litera occulti mystérii in quartam emendare praecedentem anticipate transferuntur, quemadmodum in rei- Hic prima prima litera alphabeti A, capiatur; que est quartum in circulo ante spem, pro b, v, pro c, x. Sic consequtier, ut patro in rulin. P. seft autem sine modus cum ceteris variat per alium, binas: vel plares, fed quia, per singulas procecid significativus plura secreta pancitoribus maneffita pos- H 2 Alpha- Kodak Gray Scale

--- Page 254 ---*

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — letter-pair cipher chunk full_chunk_0114

Steganographia clavis convention: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The substitution is designed so the cipher letters can be padded into a Latin prose Exemplum that reads as ordinary devotional writing -- only the recipient who knows the alphabet can decode the embedded German Intentio.

Page header: 'Claus Steganographiae'

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A t
b u
e x
d z
t a
f b
g d
w d
w b
n i
o k
p l
q m
r n
s o
p u
q g
x i
z f

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Der Pfarrherz von Bing ist vmb eins verschieden/ lug nach der Psar. Hac est sequentis aperta narrationis secretae iuxta hunc modum intentio.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

Zanldania q̄ ki veiceopdepqhuveioqanoxdaezaigge: risxdzanldennai.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*Z elatorem animarum nostrarum laudaturi divino amore noi ingieter- ucedamus que[n]sing, calumniis inimicis vanitate eternae iuenditati capiente, ecco omnia praeter Deum et inf. tiam preteruent, Quare hanc vitam amantem exiique immergi optamus, quare abductus non, oremna Chr.iam devotione: [q̄] amoris eternae affidaes infinitae, gratia, gratia quotidie commu[n]iamur impell. murque tentationem huom Christe dulcifime zelum amoris nobis largi et daecedimus, nec nocet, annus bus iniquitas. Amen. Iob. Tr. ihe. griffio. Calend. M. ritis, Anno domini M. I D. Modus quintus singulis significatiis utitur et qualibet litera in quintam ante ferat transmutatur. M o lus quintus autem huicis secundis capitali ad in[st]ar praecedis nullae dii[sc]iones vacas recepit, sed per singulas significatiae mystérii proce[d]it. Nec credo aliquem huic arti in[sc]ius occultiae per hoc modum posse alquid inuenire, dum etiam artem scienti et non bene uisato si difficilis omnis penetrare: libera autem omnium diillium latentes mystérii transmutatur in quintam immediate praecedentem, ut pro A capiatur [q̄] uae et in circulo alphabeti. Quinta.

--- Page 255 ---

Ioannis Trithemij Abb. Spanh. 61 Quinta ante eam pro b:t.pro c:v. etc. sic consequentur, ut patet in rotula. Quo vero hunc modum per alternas binas, vel plures voluerit variare, quia non omnibus est facile scribendo per singulas incedere signa modo cumilibes appropriatis non obmittat, alioquin facile in errorem incidat, & nihil lectori visissi scienter impediat.*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
b t
c n
d x
e z
f a
h e
i d
k e
l f
m g
n h
o i
k q
g l
r m
s n
t o
v p
x q
z r

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

mysterij. Morgen umb 7, sey gerüst vund wart meiner am. Kreuz.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

G.i.m.b.p.g.t.n.z.t.b.h.n.d.b.z.m.p.n.o.p.h.x.p.p.f.m.u.g.d.b.f.
g.v.m.p.o.r.
H 3 Exem.

--- Page 256 ---

62
Clavis Steganographiae

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*G rambus in huius mensis humiliter populum algrammatana novae Xceleratrin tar bonfum nobis dona bene zelus malum persequint no operatse, petimus humiliter Corifite pifimepeafer saccurse, merbis gra- mibus dilecte heu fumus gravatus veniam miserie praefas optione redemptor. loc. Trith. Abbas posse 7. Calen. Anno 1515. Anno M D. Modus sextus per omnes significantes pro- greditur et gramma quolibet in 6. praecedens collocatur. M odum sexto in uniu quoque capisit per omnes dillentes significant prioris infular progredivit, nullam proflus vancem admittens et fer- reati misteri litera omnis transpofite fuit, or pre A, capisit sextis pro- cedens in rotula qua est v, pro b, pro c, t, pro d, t, pro e, x, pro f, z, pro g, A. Ceris confequenter inxtra ordinem alphabeti in vfa rotula positum per nu- merum numero alphabeti suppositum faciis et sine labore patefet (ive, quantu- num uniques, litera diffac ab aliis et quatenfis in ordine varia q, alphabeti. fam leguitur rotula. Alpha

--- Page 257 ---*

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — letter-pair cipher chunk full_chunk_0115

Steganographia clavis convention: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The substitution is designed so the cipher letters can be padded into a Latin prose Exemplum that reads as ordinary devotional writing -- only the recipient who knows the alphabet can decode the embedded German Intentio.

Page header: 'Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh.'

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A r
e t
d v
e x
n g
p i
v o
x p
R g

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Nicht niũ disen Mönicht zu gehorsam/er ift ein wils der Meier.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

Genuge f.a.m.x.g.f.b.g.t.u.q.o.a.x.b.h.l.m.r.f.x.l.m.n.x.g.o.o.b.e.x.l.f.u.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

Gloriosum clementem nostrum generatione conditor et fallorem, vul- teriaturis Christianam memoriam Christi gestorum faciens hamil- tae genubus cuiuio tempore vendicat. Quare obtinetimus,

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
C h
r i
s t
u m
b a
u l
i a
n t
e s
h u
m e
r i
l i
g n
u m
m a
i e
s t
a t
e m
v e
d i
t e
n t
e m
f a
e m
i n
a s
C h
r i
s t
l i
g n
c o
n f
i c
e r
n u
n c
i u
n o
b i
C h
r i
s t
a e
c r
u c
i f
i x
g l
o r
i f
i c
a t
o r
o p
t i
m a
o m
n i
c r
e d
e n
t i
u m
b a
u l
i a
n t
e s
e x
a u
d i
C h
r i
s t
l u
m e
f u
l g
i d
u m
C h
r i
s t
t r
u m
p h
a t
o r
C h
r i
s t
i a
n o
l i
b e
r a
A n
n o
D o
m i
n i
C a
l e
M a
r i
I o
a n
T r
i t
h e
m i
u s
a b
b a
c o
m p
o s
u i
M o
d u
s e
p t
i m
u s
p e
o m
n e
s i
g n
i f
i c
a t
i u
a s
p r
g r
e d
i t
u r
e t
i n
p r
e c
e d
e n
t e
l i
t e
r a
t r
a n
p o
n u
n t
u r
E p
i t
i m
u s
a u
t e
m o
d o
h u
i u
c a
p i
t u
l i
n u
l a
o c
i s
a m
r e
c i
p i
s e
i n
n a
n a
r a
t i
o n
e m
o c
c u
l t
m y
s t
e r
i j
p e
s i
g n
i f
i c
a t
i u
a s
s i
n g
u l
a s
p r
o c
e d
i t
V i
r u
a d
q u
a e
d a
m a
s e
c r
e t
m y
s t
e r
i j
o m
n i
t r
a n
p o
n u
n t
u r
i n
q u
a e
l i
b e
l i
t e
r a
i m
m e
d i
a t
a e
p r
a e
c e
d e
n t
e m
p o
s t
e t
a u
t e
e t
i f
t e
m o
d u
v a
r i
a t
i u
d u
p l
i c
i t
e r
f i
c i
e b
d o
c u
m i
s u
l o
c o
d e
s i
g u
l i
L i
t e
r a
a u
t e
o m
n i
d i
c t
i o
n u
e c
c l
e s
m y
f e
r i
i n
p r
e c
e d
e n
t e
c o
n u
e n
i e
n t
e r
f a
e c
t r
a n
p o
n i
t s
u t
p r
c a
p t
a t
u r
q u
s e
p t
i m
d i
s t
a t
a b
e o
l o
c o
r e
t r
o s
u m
n u
m e
r a
n d
f i
c i
n u
m e
r u
f a
p p
a t
t u
c l
a r
i n
d i
c a
t s
p r
c a
p t
a t
u r
p r
i a
c o
n s
e q
e n
t i
o n
d a
m n
e r
d a
e m
o n
o m
n e
n c
l e
a r
A l
p h
P a
g e
C l
a v
i s
S t
e g
a n
o g
r a
p h
i a

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A q
b r
c f
d t
c v
f x
h a
i b
k e
l d
m e
n f
o g
p h
q i
r k
s l
t m
v n
x o
z p

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

mysterij. T. b. lb. l. mx. q. lm. v. b. f. s. n. s. c. e. q. fr. b. t. v. p. a. nb. v. b. ff. sk. l. m. w. v. f. b. f. s. j. v. s. x. v. dt. vl. q. n. s. a. v. k. f. v. l. m. w. f. l. n. a. m. s. v. b. f. t. b. ve. psf. lms.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*II. T. Emporalium bonorum, letissia blandis lubricisque malis Christianis quietem laetissi mortale variis bello fatigat caro vanitas seculi armi- nosit et, qui futuri regni beatitudinem temere vils pendunt, dati negotiis boni natiu bestiasatoris forecierat tranitem vitae catholica incidam miseri- rin novi requirant, velocior fugunt. bona falsa samen semiuntque universa et Christiana velociter devoti tranquilliter stem vitae tenentur, qui numquam subsestis alternatione veris catholicae fugit vere laetiam mihi nibilfacit temere laurum sestatur, amas mundista vi. vi. vi. vi. bonatam, fulget tras- toria bona vili pendat futura luminis memer. Ioan. Trith, Modus

--- Page 259 ---

Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh. Modus octauus per omnes significantes pro- greditur,& in octauam Grammata transponuntur.

Modus octauus vers in ista capitulo instare praecedentis in narratione mysteri discitionum significativi per omnia vitae,& quaelibet in co- culum narratione litera in 8 praecedentem immediatetransponitur,im vo pro A.capitatur poena retrosum numeranda et ultima defuit,ab eo loco,fiçt patet in rotula numerantis.Pro b capitatur q,pro c,r,& fiç confequenter per ordinem totius alphabeti:variatur antem et fiç modus ad unus cumque placitum artem scienti per dilitione alternae,binas,ternas,quaternas vel plures,us fiç loco dicimus.*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A p
b q
c r
d s
e t
f u
x n
k b
l c
m d
n e
o f
p g
q h
r i
s k
t l
x n
z o

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

mysterij. Deine seindt werden Morgen umb neun herfoum- men/

--- Page 260 ---

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — letter-pair cipher chunk full_chunk_0116

Steganographia clavis convention: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The substitution is designed so the cipher letters can be padded into a Latin prose Exemplum that reads as ordinary devotional writing -- only the recipient who knows the alphabet can decode the embedded German Intentio.

Page header: '66 Claus Steganographia\nmen/mit zehen Vferden, da hab dich vor zurichtent.'

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

S. a e. v. a p e. l m. m. i. t e. d. f. s e. m. i. d q e. m. e z t i. b f.
D. a d. e. d a. l o t. z t e g z t s f. e s p r p q i t a r z e p e. m. l a.
v. z l t e.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*Saluator animarum terra virtus alceffimi Dei, exaudi luces misera rum mitiga tribulatione: innocentium, faccure tentationibus, egofate la- borantium defolatione fragilium Iefu extende manum tuam: defensione, quatenus efe mercurum emendatis relatoris tua inftitia. Benignifime fili Dei delictorum tenebras expelle, dulce animarum arbor omnis tempore ze- lum temerarum expelle. Glorificare zelantium tuam inftitum subfum te. expeftavit familiam, perfequentis rabale poterit quaefumus tempora faullifimum, amoris radium z clofe exorantibus prefta. O mitifime Iefu amator reftituentem z elantium lacrymatum exanimis. Anno Domi- ni, M. I. D. & Kal. Martij. Modus nonus omnibus significatiuis uti- tur, & in nonam precedentem qua- libet litera tranfertur. M odus nonus huius precedentis capitulis in occultando proposito my- sterii per omne significatiuis inftitutionem five ordine dirigit et con- cantem nullam penitum admitit. Omnes autem literas secreta narratione in- g precedentem tranfertur, fta ve pre A. capiatur, que eff non in ordi- ne alphabeti ante eam fient pater tam in votula quam in alphabeto plano. Pre- b capiatur p. pro e. q. Sic confequentur. Modus autem iffe fient et caterio- rnes in aliis mulier variari potefit, non folum per alternas, binas tarnef- fed eftiam in aliis tam diverti dispositiones, qui ex quolibet modo peni in- finiti poftis fieri. Alpha-

--- Page 261 ---

Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh. 67*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A a
b p
e q
d r
e s
f r
g v
h x
i z
k a
l b
m c
n d
o e
r f
q q
r b
s i
t k
u i
x m
z n

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Die Sachsen versamblen ein groß Volck/ut wets ich offwen es gehe,/sie dich für. Haec eft

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

R,z,s,i,e,w,t,s,dl,fs,lb,h,oe,c,bs,df,sc,d,v,h,e,z,i,l,a,b,q,a,dsz.
kddfsiz,tz,q,xut,lsdfz iu,uz,xx,xi,rz q xt,nb.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*R eligionis Relates salvator lesa omnium mitifime innocantes sufçipe debiles liberat feruos tunisio,inducie grantisbe crimina supplice beaftica seda disturbia salutem zelantibus Dominum veram humilitatem. I a expetivne

--- Page 262 ---

68 Clauis Steganographiae expesimae zelum, iustitia, lux eterna beatiorum quaerenislibus adsest digni- zelenum, catholice liberatius largire suppliantibus rabulag, injici z zania quaeg, Christianitatis vela turbinata largior lumine justie difter- mina coam innocesta, virginiuque juftium Christiana institu suppli- canibui Christianis subiecit, redime zelum quaesiaem Christium suo vi- dentem humilis. Anno M.D.7. Kalen. Maris, Ioannes Trithemius Abbat Spanheimensit. Modus decimus singulis significatius vietur, & in decimam praecedentem quaeli- bet litera transvertur. D Ecimus modus huic capituli, more praecedentium in occultuendo my- sterio singulis dissiendis signifiscatiui vietur cum nulla vacua po- nitus admissetur. Sient vera effe dissilia ad occultationem intentioni sue conferuentiam orationi per singulas dissiendis composere poterit tam in- stam in aliis modi pene omnium uti alterni, binis, ternis, quaternis, vel- sam pluribus. Omne ante litera cum sui significatiu instar praecedentium, in hoc modo decimo in decimam praecedentem se literam anticipata tran- mutetur, sim vt pro A, capiatur n, quia in ordine alphabeti inxtra rotula de- monstrationem 10, ante ea pro b, capiatur o, pro c, pro d, q. & ita consequen- per totum*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
s i
e n
p a
e t
i n
c i
r c
u m
f e
r e
n t
i a
m e
d i
i n
u e
n t
A l
p h
P a
g e

Clavis Steganographiae (Clavis triplex) — letter-pair cipher chunk full_chunk_0117

Steganographia clavis convention: each plaintext letter maps to a single ciphertext letter. The substitution is designed so the cipher letters can be padded into a Latin prose Exemplum that reads as ordinary devotional writing -- only the recipient who knows the alphabet can decode the embedded German Intentio.

Page header: 'Ioannis Trithemij Abb.Spanh.\n69'

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
A n
b o
c p
d g
e r
f f
g i
b u
i x
k z
l a
m b
n c
o d
p o
q f
r g
s h
t h
u k
x l
z m

Intentio Mysterij — German plaintext (the secret message concealed by the cipher)

Diese Bücher behalten die heimlich. Haec est intentio.

Literae significantes — ciphertext letters

Q̄,b̄,h̄,ā,k̄,p̄,ū,r̄,ḡ,ā,s̄,n̄,ā,ō,x̄,q̄,x̄,ū,x̄,b̄,ā,x̄,p̄,v̄,v̄.

Exemplum — worked example, Latin prose carrying the cipher

*Ō,V̄,s̄,q̄,ū,r̄,ē,ī,n̄,t̄,ē,r̄,ī,n̄,ē,r̄,h̄,ū,m̄,l̄,t̄,ī,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ā,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ā,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,ī,ū,r̄,ḡ,ū,l̄,t̄,i

--- Page 264 ---

Cl. Steganogr. Ioh. Trith. Abb. Spanh. Modus undecimus, vt praecedens singulis significatius vitur, & literae in anticipantur. Modus undecimus mores praecedentium singulis diectionibus significanti- bus in occultando maestria progredivit, cum vacans nulla penitus ad- missetur. Parum literarum in undecimum praecedentem immedieat trans- ponuntur, sicque palatii clarecentium*

Alphabetum — substitution alphabet

plaintext cipher
i n
r o
t u
l i
F I
N I
I m
p r
e s
s u
D a
r m
b s
t a
d i
a p
u d
B a
l t
h a
s a
r e
H o
f m
a n
n u
A n
n o
P a
g e
H e
r z
o g
A u
g u
s t
B i
b l
i o
t h
e k
W o
l f
e n
b ü
t t
e l
K o
d a
G r
a y
S c
a l
H A
h t
t p
d i
g l
i b
h a
d e
r u
c k
f b
t a
r t
h t
i m
a g
P a
g e
S E
C U
R I
T A
E T
P R
O S
P E
R I
T A
H O
M I
N U
E T
C I
V I
T A
T U
P E
R F
E C
T A
E T
S E
C U
R A
P E
D O
M I
N U
C A
T H
O L
I C
U M
E T
P O
N T
I F
I C
E M
R O
M A
N U
E T
S A
C R
A M
E T
S E
C U
R I
T A
E T
P R
O S
P E
R I
T A
H O
M I
N U
E T
C I
V I
T A
T U
P E
R F
E C
T A
E T
S E
C U
R A
P E
D O
M I
N U
C A
T H
O L
I C
U M
E T
P O
N T
I F
I C
E M
R O
M A
N U
E T
S A
C R
A M
E T
P a
g e
C l
a v
i s
g e
n e
r a
l i
t r
i p
l e
I N
L I
B R
O S
S T
G A
N O
G R
A P
H I
C O
I o
h a
n n
i s
T r
i t
h e
m i
A B
B A
T I
S P
A N
H E
M E
N S
I S
A B
I P
S O
A V
T H
O R
C O
N S
C R
I P
P T
E T
A M
A T
O R
I B
V S
H V
I V
a r
t i
g r
a t
i t
u d
i n
e m
d e
c l
a r
a t
u r
i s
e t
s e
c r
e t
r e
t i
n e
n t
i b
u e
c o
m m
u n
i c
a n
d a
D A
R M
B S
T A
D I
E x
c u
d e
b a
B a
l t
h a
s a
H o
f m
a n
i m
p e
n f
i s
I o
h a
n n
i s
B e
r n
e r
B i
p l
i o
F r
a n
c o
A n
n o
C u
P r
i v
i l
e g
i o
e t
c o
n s
e n
f u
S u
p e
r i
o r
u m
P a
g e
I N
B R
A S
S I
C A
N G
E N
T H
I C
O S
D O
M I
N I
T R
I T
V I
G I
L A
T U
E T
C O
N S
C R
R A
T A
A M
D I
C I
A T
U R
S E
C U
R I
H A
h t
t p
d i
g l
i b
h a
d e
r u
c k
f b
t a
r t
h t
i m
a g
P a
g e
C L
A V
I S
G E
N E
R A
L I
T R
I P
L E
I N
L I
B R
O S
S T
E G
A N
O G
R A
P H
I C
O S
I O
H A
N N
I S
T R
I T
H E
M I
A B
B A
T I
S P
A N
H E
I M
E N
S I
L a
u e
g e
n e
r a
l e
n o
s t
r i
l i
b r
p r
i m
a r
i i
q u
s u
n t
t r
e s
e x
q u
i b
u s
v a
r i
a t
i o
o m
n i
u m
r e
l i
q u
o r
u m
d e
p e
n d
e t
E t
c o
n s
i s
t i
i n
p e
r m
u t
a t
i o
n e
v o
c a
l i
u m
c u
c o
n s
o n
a n
t i
b u
v e
l u
t i
i n
s u
b s
e q
u e
n t
i i
b u
v i
d e
b i
e x
e m
p l
i s
Q u
a e
r a
t i
s c
r i
b e
n d
n i
m i
u m
s i
i n
t e
l l
i g
d e
b e
v t
v b
i n
s e
c r
e t
s e
n s
t u
t i
b i
v o
c a
l i
s c
r i
b e
n d
o b
u e
n i
a t
t u
p r
c o
n s
o n
a n
t e
p o
n a
P a
g e