Humanistic Mythograms in Old Prussian Historiography before and after the Decline of the State of the Teutonic Order (1466–1550)

Abstract

Humanistic Mythograms in Old Prussian Historiography before and after the Decline of the State of the Teutonic Order (1466–1550) The decline of the Teutonic Order in Prussia caused some kind of amnesia in historiographical narrative. This can be shown on the fictional reports on tribal history and kingship in heathen Prussia even though these narrative is mostly regarded as ridiculous and without any value as historical source. These reports given by Simon Grunau, the so called Brutenia-chronicle and further merely unique material depends on concepts drawn in the chancerllery of the last decades of the knights administration that was used by the Order’s enemies as well and read in both Royal and Ducal Prussia. Pre-historical Prussia was projected on ancient Greek and Roman literature, and though completely speculatively, raised to a high and philologically condensed level of humanism. It is based on tribal descriptions given by Ptolemy and developed by humanistic etymology. But due to the mental confusion at the Orders decline there was no possibility to keep that level. Allusions to Ptolemy or Dion of Prusa were misunderstood or twisted around. Simon Grunau, for instance, worked on confused and partially corrupted tradition, though not all of his wonderous stories lack historiographical background such as allusion to Lithuanian and Slavonic tradition (Legend of Palemon, Wolhynia chronicles). In mid 16th century when regional historiography was rebuilt under duke Albrechts patronage, manuscript tradition was full of confusion. In their quest for the best sources scholars like Christoph Falk and Stenzel Bornbach put the first hints for reconstructing lost narrative.