dr hab. Rafał Witkowski, UAM

Section 30.: Sub cuius potestatem? Silesian monks - books - texts - ideas

Michael of Prague is one of the most popular Carthusian writers of the late Middle Ages. In 1386, he was appointed prior of the Carthusian monastery of Aggsbach by the general chapter after the removal of his predecessor, John, who was removed for violating a ban on allowing women into the monastery's church. John allowed the foundress to be buried in the shrine, which involved the participation of women from the court of the Counts von Maissau in the ceremonies. Michael of Prague was not well received at the charterhouse by his fellow monks. In his work, he tried to convince John that the loss of the prior's authority was justified, and that it could sometimes be a cause for joy and contentment, rather than sorrow, given the various responsibilities incumbent on the prior. In the end, Michael interceded at the chapter in favor of John, who in 1390 was again placed at the head of the community in Aggsbach, and Michael became Prior of the Carthusian monastery of Jurklošter (Gairach) in