What, , in the light of prmary sources, do we know about the competence of the thirteenth-century officials from Malopolska?

Owing to several reasons, the accurate definition of the powers applicable to individual offices on Polish soil in the period of feudal fragmentation is a formidable task. Firstly, a relatively poor source basis furnishes insufficient normative and direct information regarding the competence of the then officials. Insurmountable interpretative problems stem from the ambiguous Latin legal terminology. We must also take into account the transformations of the then ‘administrative’ organisation which transpired over the years: the expiry of some offices and the emergence of new ones, the loss of hitherto held competencies and the acquisition of other. The examined period was also marked by the existence of disparities between regions It seems reasonable to assume that throughout the period in question there existed dissimilarities, sometimes profound (notably in Silesia). From time to time, modern ideas impinge upon the perception of the conditions prevailing in the distant past, a phenomena noticeable already in the case of medieval historians, and traceable also in the work of professional historians of the nineteenth-twenty century. For historiography associated with the addressed issues typical are several generalisations, often unverifiable in sources. Furthermore, the so called imaginary, invented tradition, which actually is a relatively recent invention, has an adverse effect on historiography. It can therefore be assumed that in the Middle Ages, when making references to the deep-rooted standards was a common practise, attempts were made to provide new arrangements with a pedigree from the distant past. The main objective of this paper is to answer the question what the sources from that period actually reveal about the competence of thirteenth-century civil servants from Małopolska. It is of utmost important in this case that the source be primary, because only they can provide more or less accurate answers to the questions we ask them (ignorance, mistake or some hidden intention of the author are nevertheless always to be expected), unlike later sources (both in terms of the time of production and form), which may have already be contaminated with different amplifications, beclouding the truth. This also leads to the analysis of the reliability of the existing historiographical views on the competence of the thirteenth-century civil servants. The author conducts the analysis of source and historiographical information concerning the competence and the importance of the following offices occurring in the area of Małopolska in the thirteenth century: chorąży (the standard-bearer), cześnik (the cup-bearer), łowczy (the master of the hunt), miecznik (the sword-bearer), mincerz (the mint master), kanclerz (the chancellor), kasztelan (the castellan), konarski (equerry), podczaszy (the deputy cup-bearer), podkanclerzy (the vice-chancellor), chamberlain (podkomorzy), podkoni (the deputy equerry), podłowczy (the deputy master of the hunt), podsędek (the deputy district judge), podskarbi (the grand treasurer), podstoli (the deputy pantler), sędzia (judge), skarbnik (treasurer), stolnik (the pantler), starosta (the governor), wojewoda (the voivode) and wojski (officer responsible for security of districts during war). In the paper the author will merely outline a problem, significant for the Polish medieval studies. Conclusive answers to all doubtful issues are impossible to be provided as of yet, since in the case of some offices we may merely confirm their existence.

Economic policy of Boleslaw V towards the monasteries of the Duchy of Kraków and Sandomierz as an attempt to modernise the monarchy

This paper is an attempt to characterise the policy of the Duke of KrakówSandomierz Bolesław V towards the monasteries functioning in his realm. The author will discuss only those conventions, which helped the duke implement his economic policy, notably Benedictine, Cistercian, or Norbertine orders. Excluded are orders related to the new beggar movement, the only exception being the Zawochost-Skała Order of Saint Clare. The aim is to show the role of by the monasteries in the modernisation of the Kraków–Sandomierz state, since in the second half of the thirteenth century Małopolska attempted to catch up economic gap separating it from its neighbours. Duke Boleslaw was aware of the enormity of the challenges that awaited him at the beginning of his reign. The thirteenth century saw a great conflict between the secular and spiritual power. One look at the situation in other districts – Wielkopolska, Mazovia and Silesia is enough to notice the significant role of the aspirations of the clergy in the internal politics of those principalities. A young ruler from Kraków was cognisant of the ample opportunities that the collaboration with the Church could bring. With a view to achieving his economic objectives, he nevertheless decided on the cooperation with religious orders. It was an understandable move, given that monasteries had proper financial background, as well as a network of contacts necessary for the modernisation of the Duchy of Kraków–Sandomierz. Furthermore, the role of monasteries in the process of colonisation and the acquisition of new settlers, as well as specialists in the field of mining, cannot be overestimated. Bolesław V was aware of the role of the development of rural settlement and its interrelateion with urbanisation in the increase of the well-being of the entire state. Patterns from Silesia, Bohemia and Hungary indicated the monarch how he could enhance economic development of his land, and strengthen his own power. Such transformations nonetheless required considerable financial outlay. Since princely treasure, ruined by invasion, was unable to provide adequate investment for modernization, the monarch supported the colonisation run by religious orders. In order to facilitate their economic development, legal and economic immunities were bestowed upon them. The duke supported also the assemblage of land. Immunisation was beneficial not only for monks but also the ruler: the duke deprived the administrative apparatus of their judiciary prerogatives and took over part of its mandate and income. At the same time, the elimination of obsolete laws of princely duties provided the monasteries with the possibility of conducting an extensive colonisation action based on given freedoms, which resulted in the dissemination of novel economic solutions brought from the west by the monasteries. This knowledge included a comprehensive program of reconstruction of the domain in order to increase revenue. It is worthy of note that the Cistercians became the ruler’s chef specialists in the search for salt and other natural resources. The monks from Wąchock provided not only professional help in the search for salt, but also repair of salt brewing equipment. Owing to the development of this industry, salt mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia began to yield enormous revenues, which replenished princely treasure following the expropriation reform of Bolesław V. The major role of religious orders in the modernisation of the Duchy of Kraków–Sandomierz is therefore evident. Backed by regal authority and under the duke’s care, they were able to fully exploit their economic potential for the colonisation and urbanisation of Małopolska. Their cooperation with the monarch brought them immunities essential for the development of their possessions. Beneficial to both parties, this police significantly contributed to the changes in social relations in the state of Bolesław V. Patterns of economic restructuration imported by the monasteries became a model employed, albeit with some delay, also by the nobility.