Wincenty Kadlubek
Encyclopedia
Blessed Wincenty Kadłubek (1161 – 8 March 1223), also known as Vincent Kadlubek, Vincent Kadlubo, Vincent Kadlubko, Vincent of Kraków
, Master Vincentius, was a thirteenth century Bishop of Cracow and historian of Poland
.
near Opatów
. He studied in Bologna
. Upon the death of Fulk, Bishop of Kraków (Cracow), on 11 September 1207, Kadłubek was elected to the office. Innocent III approved the election, and Kadłubek was consecrated by Henry Kielicz, Archbishop of Gniezno.
He followed Gallus Anonymus
in further developing the idea of the Latin proverb vox populi vox dei ("the voice of the people is the voice of god") and argued that the ruler (king) should always follow a council that includes bishops and representatives of clans, since not the ruler but the council has higher authority originating from the laws of God. He also claimed that the ruler should be elected by the council and rulers abusing their power should be removed.
In 1215 Kabłubek participated in the Fourth Council of the Lateran
.
In 1218, Kadłubek resigned and entered the monastery
of Jędrzejów
. He was the first Pole to receive the habit of the Cistercians, and lived among them until his death. He was buried before the high altar of the abbey church. In 1682, king Jan III Sobieski petitioned the Holy See
for his beatification
. A similar request was made in 1699 by the General Chapter of the Order of Cîteaux. On 18 February 1764 Kadłubek was beatified by Clement XIII.
Kadłubek's best-known work, Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae
(Chronicles of the Kings and Princes of Poland), is a history of Poland in four volumes. The first three volumes take the form of a dialogue between Archbishop John of Gniezno (1149–after 1167) and Matthew, Bishop of Kraków (1143–1166). The first volume's sources are legends, the second is based on the chronicle of Gallus, and the last two are based upon Kadłubek's own experiences.
This work had a huge impact on the Polish political doctrine of the 14th and 15th centuries as created by Stanisław of Skarbimierz and others, as well as on the 16th century works of Wawrzyniec Grzymała Goślicki. These ideas led to the Nobles' Democracy
in Poland
, for it is in his works, that for the first time the terms res publica
(see Commonwealth
and Rzeczpospolita
) were used in the context of Poland.
Some say the book was written at the request of Prince Casimir II; others, that it was made at the request of Prince Leszek
, while Kadłubek was bishop; and still others claim that it was not written until after his retirement to the monastery.
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Master Vincentius, was a thirteenth century Bishop of Cracow and historian of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Biography
Kadłubek was born to a wealthy Polish family in KarwówKarwów, Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship
Karwów is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Opatów, within Opatów County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Opatów and east of the regional capital Kielce.-References:...
near Opatów
Opatów
Opatów is a town in Poland, in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It is the capital of Opatów County. Its population is 7,833 .Tourist attractions include a 12th century Collegiate Church of St...
. He studied in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. Upon the death of Fulk, Bishop of Kraków (Cracow), on 11 September 1207, Kadłubek was elected to the office. Innocent III approved the election, and Kadłubek was consecrated by Henry Kielicz, Archbishop of Gniezno.
He followed Gallus Anonymus
Gallus Anonymus
Gallus Anonymus is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of Gesta principum Polonorum , composed in Latin about 1115....
in further developing the idea of the Latin proverb vox populi vox dei ("the voice of the people is the voice of god") and argued that the ruler (king) should always follow a council that includes bishops and representatives of clans, since not the ruler but the council has higher authority originating from the laws of God. He also claimed that the ruler should be elected by the council and rulers abusing their power should be removed.
In 1215 Kabłubek participated in the Fourth Council of the Lateran
Fourth Council of the Lateran
The Fourth Council of the Lateran was convoked by Pope Innocent III with the papal bull of April 19, 1213, and the Council gathered at Rome's Lateran Palace beginning November 11, 1215. Due to the great length of time between the Council's convocation and meeting, many bishops had the opportunity...
.
In 1218, Kadłubek resigned and entered the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Jędrzejów
Jedrzejów
Jędrzejów is a town in Poland, located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, about 35 km southwest of Kielce. It is the capital of Jędrzejów County. It has 18,069 inhabitants ....
. He was the first Pole to receive the habit of the Cistercians, and lived among them until his death. He was buried before the high altar of the abbey church. In 1682, king Jan III Sobieski petitioned the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for his beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
. A similar request was made in 1699 by the General Chapter of the Order of Cîteaux. On 18 February 1764 Kadłubek was beatified by Clement XIII.
Works
Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae
Chronica seu originale regum et principum Poloniae is a Latin history of Poland written by Wincenty Kadłubek between 1190 and 1208 CE. The work was probably commissioned by Casimir II of Poland...
(Chronicles of the Kings and Princes of Poland), is a history of Poland in four volumes. The first three volumes take the form of a dialogue between Archbishop John of Gniezno (1149–after 1167) and Matthew, Bishop of Kraków (1143–1166). The first volume's sources are legends, the second is based on the chronicle of Gallus, and the last two are based upon Kadłubek's own experiences.
This work had a huge impact on the Polish political doctrine of the 14th and 15th centuries as created by Stanisław of Skarbimierz and others, as well as on the 16th century works of Wawrzyniec Grzymała Goślicki. These ideas led to the Nobles' Democracy
Nobles' Democracy
Nobles' Democracy may refer to* History of Poland * Golden Liberty, the political system of that time in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, for it is in his works, that for the first time the terms res publica
Res publica
Res publica is a Latin phrase, loosely meaning "public affair". It is the root of the word republic, and the word commonwealth has traditionally been used as a synonym for it; however translations vary widely according to the context...
(see Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
and Rzeczpospolita
Rzeczpospolita
Rzeczpospolita is a traditional name of the Polish State, usually referred to as Rzeczpospolita Polska . It comes from the words: "rzecz" and "pospolita" , literally, a "common thing". It comes from latin word "respublica", meaning simply "republic"...
) were used in the context of Poland.
Some say the book was written at the request of Prince Casimir II; others, that it was made at the request of Prince Leszek
Leszek I the White
Leszek I the White , also listed by some sources as Leszek II the White, was Prince of Sandomierz and High Duke of Poland from 1194 until his death, except for the short periods following when he was deposed as Polish ruler...
, while Kadłubek was bishop; and still others claim that it was not written until after his retirement to the monastery.