The accounts of the parish priest from Brodnica (1439–1445) serve as a valuable example of the pragmatic literacy of the parish clergy. These records detail the priest’s income from mass offerings, funeral fees, and fraternity dues, providing insight into the daily life of the parish and the priest’s liturgical and pastoral duties. Despite their private nature, the accounts reflect the practical administration of a local church institution. The source text is a rare example of meticulously maintained financial records from a small-town parish. This paper attempts to offer a unique perspective on the writings of lesser clergy in medieval Prussia based on the source text, examining the broader context of parish accounting, including records kept by churchwardens.
