Preaching as an instrument of power (and propaganda). An example of a preaching collection from the first half of the 15th century (Warszawa, The National Library, 12603 III)
Manuscript BN 12603 III is a preaching collection including sermons, lives of saints and miracula. Among the sermons are also works on saints venerated in medieval Poland – the lives and sermons on St Adalbert and St Stanislaus, which contain information on Polish history. Glosses in Polish (in the text and marginal) indicate that the codex was written in Poland (Małopolska?) in the first half of the 15th century. However, there are some indications which suggest that the codex may have been used as a preaching aid in Lithuania.
Power and authority in late medieval Epiphany sermons from Silesian manuscripts
Sermons on Epiphany, mainly devoted to the Wise Men (Three Kings) bowing to the Child, were grateful material for late medieval preachers who pointed out various aspects of secular power. Examples of kings (e.g. Bohemian kings) were used to illustrate biblical exegesis, not always positive. Patterns of behaviour of a just ruler were also shown and abuses of their representatives were condemned. I would like to present these themes on the basis of an analysis of selected late medieval sermons from Silesian manuscripts, i.e. those read in monasteries and used in pastoral ministry in Silesia. These are both well-known sermons, but I would like to focus on sermons written by Silesians.
