Writing history in medieval Poland : Bishop Vincentius of Cracow and the 'Chronica Polonorum'

This volume presents an in-depth analysis of the Chronica Polonorum, one of the greatest works of the twelfth-century renaissance which profoundly influenced history writing in Central Europe. The Chronica Polonorum was written by Poland’s first native historian Vincentius of Cracow. Educated in Paris and Bologna, he was the first canonically elected bishop of Cracow and a participant of the Fourth Lateran Council. The eyewitness accounts given in the Chronica Polonorum offer insights into the development of twelfth-century Poland, the ambitions of its dynasty, the country’s integration into Christendom, and the interaction between the Polish and Western elites. Vincentius’s work is considered a masterpiece in literary erudition grounded in classical training. The historical evidence it presents illuminates the socio-cultural interaction between Poland and the West during the period. Vincentius’s chronicle demonstrates the strong, enduring influence of the history, law, and traditions of ancient Rome in twelfth-century Europe. This book deals with several subjects which have increasingly gained in prominence in English-language scholarship in recent years, such as the development of political culture, the diffusion and growth of ideas, the Christianization of the peripheral regions of Europe, and the interaction between cultural, political, and economic changes. In analysing the work of Vincentius and the Polish historiography of the Chronica Polonorum, this volume provides important insights into the development of the so-called peripheral regions of twelfth-century Europe and Poland’s engagement in the twelfth-century renaissance. Front Matter ("Contents", "List of Illustrations", "Acknowledgements"), p. i Free Access Introduction, p. ix Darius von Güttner-Sporzyński https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114755 Bishop Vincentius of Cracow and his Chronica Polonorum, p. 1 Darius von Güttner-Sporzyński https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114756 Vincentius’s Background and Family Origins: The Evidence and Hypotheses, p. 19 Jacek Maciejewski https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114757 Motives and Inspirations: An Exploration of When and Why the Chronica Polonorum Was Written, p. 43 Józef Dobosz https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114758 A History of the Manuscripts of the Chronica Polonorum: The Influence of Vincentius on History Writing, p. 63 Marian Zwiercan https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114759 The Language of Vincentius’s Chronicle, p. 79 Edward Skibiński https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114760 The Narrative in Vincentius’s Chronicle, p. 99 Edward Skibiński https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114761 The Impact and Influence of Antiquity and the Bible in the Chronica Polonorum, p. 119 Katarzyna Chmielewska https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114762 Vincentius’s Chronicle and Intellectual Culture of the Twelfth Century, p. 139 Zénon Kałuża https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114763 Vincentius’s Construct of a Nation: Poland as res publica, p. 175 Paweł Żmudzki https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114764 The Power of a Prince: Vincentius on the Dynasty’s Source of Power, p. 199 Przemysław Wiszewski https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114765 Values and Virtues: Church Life and Courtly Culture, p. 221 Robert Bubczyk https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114766 Lords and Peasants: Polish Society and Economy in Transition, p. 243 Marcin Rafał Pauk https://doi.org/10.1484/M.CURSOR-EB.5.114767 Back Matter ("Appendix 1: The Main Representatives of the Piast Dynasty (c. 966–1230)", "Appendix 2: The Chronology of Polish History c. 920–1230", "Index"), p. 267 Poland's First Native Chronicler And A Proud Contributor To The Twelfth Century Renaissance Placed His People's History On A Continuum With The Classical World. This Work Brings To Light The Importance Of Poland In The Making Of Europe. This Volume Presents An In-depth Analysis Of The 'chronica Polonorum', One Of The Greatest Works Of The Twelfth-century Renaissance Which Profoundly Influenced History Writing In Central Europe. The 'chronica Polonorum' Was Written By Poland's First Native Historian Vincentius Of Cracow. Educated In Paris And Bologna, He Was The First Canonically Elected Bishop Of Cracow And A Participant Of The Fourth Lateran Council. The Eyewitness Accounts Given In The 'chronica Polonorum' Offer Insights Into The Development Of Twelfth-century Poland, The Ambitions Of Its Dynasty, The Country's Integration Into Christendom, And The Interaction Between The Polish And Western Elites. Vincentius's Work Is Considered A Masterpiece In Literary Erudition Grounded In Classical Training. The Historical Evidence It Presents Illuminates The Socio-cultural Interaction Between Poland And The West During The Period. Vincentius's Chronicle Demonstrates The Strong, Enduring Influence Of The History, Law, And Traditions Of Ancient Rome In Twelfth-century Europe. Edited By Darius Von Güttner-sporzynski.