Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus ( † after 1116) was a Benedictine monk and chronicler.

His name and his origins are unclear. There is general agreement in the research only in that he was not a Pole. As origin theses to Northern France, Southern France and Hungary were established. Occasionally has also been suggested that he was Böhme or Italian origin. Because of training, reception of other lying in Bamberg works in the Chronicle the thesis was felt that Gallus was born in Bamberg, maybe even Bishop Otto of Bamberg itself was. In the chronicle, however, find no evidence of the nationality of the author. Furthermore, discusses the training places and what circumstances brought him into the Piast Poland. A majority of scientists believed that he came to Poland shortly before the writing of the chronicle.

Gallus Anonymus wrote the Cronica et gesta ducum immersive principum Polonorum the first tradition, which dealt with the history of the Polish Duchy. Used for his portrayal of the Gallus no longer preserved Polish annals, and a lost Adalbert Vita, but no documents were used. Of particular importance must have been at the court for his reports the oral tradition. The work was written in the time Bolesław skew mouth about before the year 1115/1116 and should be legitimizing and justifying the benefit of the Polish dukes. The work was doing during the power struggle between the Polish Duke Boleslaw III. and his older half-brother Zbigniew. The fratricidal war ended with the capture and blinding Zbigniew. This approach called for the followers Zbigniew forth severe criticism. To overcome this crisis, it was conducive to submit a presentation of history that would gloss over the deeds Bolesław and stabilize the continued rule in the country. The rulers of the Piast dynasty are the focus of the presentation. Here Gallus Anonymus believes that the power of Piastengeschlechts was God wanted. The Chronicle wants to show what a wonderful deeds Boleslaw the Wry-mouthed and his ancestors have provided. Opposite the Empire accepted the chronicler subordination of Poland, but was not allowed to the kingdom rulers interfere in the internal affairs of Poland.

The Chronicle is the most important tradition of the high medieval Poland. The work consists of three books, and includes a period of 250 years. Book I begins with the mythical early days in Poland and reported on the most important acts of the ruler to the year of birth of Bolesław III. 1085th Book II is more detailed and covers the period 1086-1109. Book III. focuses on the events of 1109-1113. The presentation ends with a description of the conquest of the fort pomeranischen Nakło on the networks. Each of the three parts has a preface in the form of a dedication letter and a rhyming epilogue. The historiographical work offers to the second decade of the 12th century, often as a single representation of the original message to the early Piast history.

In the 16th century Marcin Kromer has entered the name of Gallus in the so-called Heilberger handwriting. This name should emphasize the French origin. In 1749 the name was Gallus by Gottfried Lengnich, the editor of the first edition, interpreted as an author. Thus, the name of science has asserted.

In the recent research particularly the issues related to the origin of the chronicler dominate, according to his sources and literary models and after the political function and effect of the text.

Werkausgaben

• Galli anonymity cronicae et gesta ducum immersive principum Polonorum, edited by Karol Maleczynski, ( Monumenta Historica Poloniae NS2 ), Krakow 1952.
• Poland's Beginnings - Gallus Anonymus: Chronicle and deeds of the dukes and princes of Poland, translated, introduced and explained by Josef Bujnoch, Graz, inter alia, 1978, ISBN 3-222-10554-5.
• Gesta principum Polonorum. The deeds of the princes of the Poles, edited by Paul W. Knoll and Frank Schaer ( Central European medieval texts, vol 3 ), Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9241-40-7.