dr hab. Zenon Piech, prof. UJ

Section 27.: Ways of manifesting secular and ecclesiastical power in medieval sources

Medieval seals were an important instrument of power representation and a key component of historical communication systems. They formed part of the broader set of symbols of authority. Research on the iconography of seals used by princes and kings of the Piast dynasty fully confirms this observation. It is now time to pose similar questions regarding the seals of Piast duchesses, which, from this perspective, remain disproportionately less explored. The author aims to determine what types of seals were used by Piast duchesses and what messages were conveyed through the imagery depicted on them. To what extent did these images reflect historical realities, and to what extent did they shape them? This paper contributes to the study of Piast duchesses, examining their status, value systems, aspirations, material and spiritual culture (including religiosity) through the lens of their seals.