PT Journal
AU Papajik, D
TI Depiction of the Relationship between Aristocracy and Towns in Narrative Sources from the Czech Lands in the Period from the 14th Century until the 1620s
SO Historica Olomucensia
PY 2019
BP 13
EP 32
VL 56
IS 1
DI 10.5507/ho.2019.001
DE aristocracy; towns; Bohemia; Moravia; 14th century; 15th century; politics; economy
AB The author of the study analysed 16 selected narrative sources from the Czech lands. His aim was to attempt to present how the relationship of two social groups (nobility and burghers) had been changing from the point of view of chroniclers. To illustrate the relationship between the aristocracy and the towns, three chronicles have proven to be the most helpful sources: Chronicle of Dalimil (Kronika tak receneho Dalimila), Chronicle of Zbraslav (Zbraslavska kronika) and Old Czech Annals (Stare letopisy ceske). For the so-called Dalimil, it was the attitude towards Germans that was decisive for the assessment of social groups. He highlighted the nobles as fighters against the Germans, on the contrary, the burghers were enemies of the land. Petr Zitavsky in Chronicle of Zbraslav criticized the noblemen for disrupting the order in the country, however, he did not possess understanding for the burghers either. Most information and suggestions on the relationship between nobility and towns can be found in the Old Czech Annals. The work, written mostly by burghers, is severely anti-aristocratic; gentlemen and knights were constantly harming the towns.
ER