mgr Maciej Karol Stachowicz

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

The presentation examines the narrative of the Hungarian-Polish alliance by comparing Wincenty Kadłubek’s Chronicle with the Hungarian-Polish Chronicle (HPC). Kadłubek often expressed a critical attitude toward the Hungarians; however, he was aware of the tradition of Polish-Hungarian friendship, sanctified by St. Adalbert and St. Stephen, which both countries were expected to uphold. Kadłubek referenced this tradition when describing the peace concluded between Casimir the Just and Béla III, which ended their rivalry over the Principality of Halych. The HPC, written around 1230 in Hungary, also preserves the tradition of an everlasting Polish-Hungarian alliance. Its author was familiar with Polish historical tradition and likely knew people that either had direct knowledge of Kadłubek’s work or shared some of its ideas. This suggests that the tradition of an eternal Polish-Hungarian alliance enjoyed popularity at least from the early 13th century.