Medieval Silesia

Sébastien Rossignol is associate professor of medieval European history at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Interested in pragmatic literacy, urbanization, and the environment in medieval Central Europe, he is the author of a study of charters and practices of reading in Silesia and Pomerania (2019).

• List of Figures and MapsAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsIntroductionPart 1: Silesia in the high Middle Ages (eleventh to thirteenth century) Chapter 1: A region at crossroadsSilesia’s origins in a European context – Rulers over Silesia – Society and cultureChapter 2: Dukes and duchessesEurope in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries – Silesian dukes and duchesses in the thirteenth century – Ruling the Silesian duchiesChapter 3: Connections of courtly culture.European aristocracy and chivalric culture – Nobility and knighthood – Literacy and the nobility – Chivalric literature – Chivalric lifestyle Chapter 4: The Silesian church and the Jewish communityChanges in Christian society – Spiritual and secular authority – Jurisdiction over Jews – Churches and schools – Monasteries and convents – Documents and books – History writing, hagiography, and scholarship Chapter 5: Peasant society in an age of transformationAgricultural economy in high medieval Europe – Silesian peasants and Polish law – An era of innovation – Lords and peasants Chapter 6: Urbanization in a changing societyUrbanization in the European high Middle Ages – Chartered towns: the law of Magdeburg – Urban population – Municipal administration – Town life and urban culturePart 2: Silesia in the late Middle Ages (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries).Chapter 7: Silesia and the crown of BohemiaLate medieval crises – Silesia and the House of Luxembourg – The Hussites and Silesia – Governance in the late Middle Ages Chapter 8: Courtly culture in Silesia and EuropeChivalry in late medieval Europe – The courts – Late medieval chivalry Chapter 9: Churches, monasteries, and synagoguesCrises and renewal in the late Middle Ages – The bishops of Wrocław – Religious institutions in transition – Higher education – Book culture and art Chapter 10: Peasant society – continuity and crisisLate medieval challenges – Lords and the land – Villagers – Peasant culture Chapter 11: Towns in developing networksTowns and markets in late medieval Europe – Urbanization in late medieval Silesia – Merchants and artisans – Town life – Late medieval challenges – Jews and the municipal councils – Urban culture and society Chapter 12: Towards the modern ageAn era of change – The Habsburgs – The Reformation – Jews – New forms of domination – Urbanization and tradeConclusionBibliography