A Model for chivalry or the abode of heresy? The Teutonic Order in the writings of Philippe de Mézières and Paweł Włodkowic
ENIn this paper, I would like to compare the criticism of the Prussian Reisen by Philippe de Mézières with that by the Polish jurist Paweł Włodkowic (also known as Paulus Vladimiri, near 1370-1435). My goal is to show that beyond the criticism of the Baltic crusades, one can find, in both writers, an idea of what the crusade should be – and what it should not be. The difference of their treatment of crusading is most probably implied by their different literary mission: while Mézières was writing to moralize about chivalry, especially for French and English knights whom he thought to be mainly preoccupied by worldly renown and aggressive bravery, Włodkowic was a jurist who had to defend his King’s right in a theological and legal dispute. Their targeted audiences were also different: the French poet hoped to be read by members of the royal family and the aristocracy, and his Polish counterpart wrote for the conciliar assembly sitting at Constance. Keywords: International relationships, chivalric ethos, Baltic crusades, Teutonic Order, military orders, Poland, Lithuania, confrontation with nonbelievers. [Extract, p. 43-44]
- Making a great ruler : Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania / Giedrė Mickūnaitė. Budapest ; Central European University Press, 2006. xx, 337 p.
- The Conversion of Lithuania : from pagan barbarians to Late Medieval christians / Darius Baronas, S. C. Rowell. Vilnius : Lietuvių literatūros ir tautosakos institutas, 2015. 627 p.
