dr Karolina Morawska

Section 19.: Realm and National Community in Vincentius Kadłubek’s „Chronicle of the Poles”

The account of Bolesław Szczodry's reign in Kadłubek's Chronicle, depicting the transformation of a good ruler into a tyrant, is among the most frequently analyzed passages of this work. However, previous research has primarily focused on the conflict between the ruler and Bishop Stanisław of Szczepanów, as well as the consequences faced by unfaithful wives. According to Kadłubek's narrative, the king's military pursuits and the prolonged absence of knights lead to slave rebellion and the infidelity of their left-behind spouses, ultimately resulting in the destabilization of social order. My aim is to analyze this fragment of the Chronicle from a different perspective, considering medieval debates on state stability and the role of marriage—particularly marital obligations—as foundational to social order. This analysis will emphasize the multifaceted nature of Kadłubek's narrative and its roots in Western European political and legal thought.