The Birth of a Stereotype : Polish Rulers and Their Country in German Writings C. 1000 A.D.

In early Medieval Western Europe intellectuals were used to indicate the external location of Slavic countries, as though outside civilization, with the term the North. The problem did not only concern nomenclature. The stereotype associated with the North pointed at the obvious cold weather, but also the primeval nature of the land and people. This study shows the detailed image of Poland created by German authors in the earliest period of existence of the Piast state (963-1034). An important aim of this work was also to identify the wider context of written opinions. Another purpose was to gather information illustrating actions taken by the Polish rulers aimed at creating an image of themselves as civilized men and true Christians. Appearance of the Piast state within eyeshot of the elites in the Liudolfings' empire Integration of the Piasts' territorial power into the empire of the Liudolfings : opinions of the German elites on the Poland of Boleslav Chrobry Polarisation of attitudes towards the Polish state and the prevalence of views unfavourable to the Piast monarchy. Presenting the image of Poland created in Germany in the earliest period of existence of the Piast state (963-1034) this book identifies its context and describes the political and cultural relation between the Polish rulers and German elites of that time. Presenting the image of Poland created in Germany in the earliest period of existence of the Piast state (963-1034) this book identifies its context and describes the political and cultural relation between the Polish rulers and German élites of that time.