7. Band, 1334-1349, herausgegeben von P. Ritter v. Chlumecky, und redigirt von Joseph Chytil., KČSN., Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy., and Část. německý text
The working definition of a “succession crisis” is based on the presumption that stability is a critical factor in a political system. The system becomes vulnerable if something deprives it of its steadiness and pushes it out of balance. A monarch in the medieval political system played the role of the stability factor which was supposed to harmonize contrary interests of different groups and circles in a kingdom. A “succession crisis” erupts when there is no political agreement regarding who should step into the role of a deceased monarch, i.e., who shows the most promise in achieving the goals of stability, harmony and a balance of power. The thrones in Central Europe were emptied nearly simultaneously at the turn of the fourteenth century. Since politics cannot bear a vacuum, these unexpected vacancies opened the field for new candidates to the throne(s). The paper reflects on three subjects. First, it raises the question of a “succession crisis” as a methodological tool for studying politics in the Middle Ages. Secondly, it outlines the stances of the modern Polish historiography on Łokietek’s coming back to power between 1305 and 1314 and his puzzling popularity among the nobility of Little Poland. It also reveals recent opinions of Polish historians about the Bohemian rule in Poland in the turn of the fourteenth century. Finally, the paper applies the concept of “succession crisis” and switch the focus of Łokietek’s attempts for the throne from a political microhistory to a picture of greater regional range. and Wojciech Kozłowski.
This study is devoted to the examination of the image of Rudolph IV of Austria in the historical writings of Henry Truchsas of Diessehofen. His chronicle, which maps the years 1316-1361, deals primarily with the history of the Empire; however, the attention of the author of this article is continuously drawn to the history of the Dukes of Austria, which is closely related to this area. The author try to explain the silence of the chronicler on the Rudolph’s participation in the allegiance formed by the Dukes of Württemberg in 1359, which was potentially aimed against Emperor and Rudolph’s father-in-law Charles IV. and Georg Modestin.
The study maps the as-yet unknown beginnings of the life and career of Pavel of Janovice, archdeacon of Prague, from whose activity a visitation protocol of 1379-1382 has been preserved. Those were connected with Cardinal Pietro Corsini, legate at the court of Charles IV in 1363-1364. In 1371, Pavel became a cardinal´s familiar; he acquired a doctorate in law at the university in Avignon in 1372. He was likely the one who took the official letter on the second papal election of 1378 and with that a personal letter from Corsini to Charles IV. After his arrival in Prague, Pavel used his earlier expectative and acquired the just vacated dignity of the Prague Chapter and began to visit as the archdeacon already in October of that year. A return to his cardinal was prevented by Corsini´s remaining in obedience to Avignon, whereas Bohemia remained in Roman obedience. and Zdeňka Hledíková.