Bishop Vincentius of Cracow and Chronica Polonorum

Abstract

The Latin chronicle written by Bishop Vincentius of Cracow at the turn of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries is a key source to the history of Poland and influenced centuries of history writing. The chronicle is a masterpiece of the twelfth-century renaissance, and draws heavily on the heritage of antiquity. Throughout the text, Vincentius reveals himself to be a master of allegory and historical metaphor, through which he builds the narrative of history of his people as well as offers a commentary on human behaviour, God’s law, and human fate. Vincentius likens himself to a dwarf on whose shoulders his dynastic sponsor placed the burden of Atlas. Vincentius’ work demonstrates his pride in the Poles being an integral part of universal human history. Through the literary means of the chronicle, Vincentius, drawing on his education and erudition which was firmly placed in the intellectual world of western Europe in the twelfth century, gives meaning to the achievements of the Poles. This article explores the life of Vincentius and provides an analysis of the Polish clergyman’s writings aiming at outlining his construct of a history of the Poles, which emphasised law and dynastic heritage.