Książka rękopiśmienna w środowisku katedry płockiej XII–XV w.

Abstract

Hand-written books in the Płock cathedral circles in the twelfth–fifteenth centuries The founding in Płock, at its cathedral, of a library with a scriptorium, dates to the twelfth century and its growth should be linked to the pontificates of two outstanding bishops of Płock: Simon (1109–1129) and Alexander of Malonne (1129–1156). At that time Płock became an important centre of culture and intellectual life, a centre the impact of which went far beyond the borders of the diocese and Mazovia. Scholars studying books, like Mathias Bersohn, Adam Vetulani, Czesław Deptuła or Edward Potkowski, consider the medieval holdings of the cathedral library to have been one of the most important in Poland. The book collection of the Płock cathedral chapter reflected the Płock clergymen’s contacts with leading intellectual centres in Europe. The books collected in Płock satisfied the clergymen’s needs concerning their education, the art of preaching and liturgical singing. In addition, they served to shape religious and legal awareness. The book collection as a whole focused on three major topics: the Bible, practical theology, civil and canon law, philosophy and liberal arts. The medieval Płock codices (especially those dealing with law), although now mostly lost, proved important carriers of European thought and culture to Poland, particularly Mazovia.