The influence of the crisis in the Universal Church on the Polish society in the 1st half of the 15th century. Chosen issues

Abstract

The author, on the basis of chosen examples, discusses the influence of the crisis in the Universal Church in the 15th century on the conduct of the inhabitants of the Polish Kingdom. A particular emphasis was put on the analysis of the period of so called the Schism of Basel between 1439 and 1449, nevertheless, the period of Pisa and Constance Councils have not been omitted. The author does not only focus on the conduct and attitudes of secular and church elites but also tries to investigate how the religious condition in the Universal Church affected common subjects of Polish monarchs. The author uses examples from the life of townspeople and various monastic communities or religious orders. He extensively elaborates on pardons granted by councils, popes, cardinals and bishops. The author also emphasises the difficulties in interpreting some source documents. The documents dating from the time of the Council of Basel have been subjected to closest scrutiny. The issue so far has not been extensively discussed in subject literature, which motivated the author to try and get some insight into the problem. This is why in effect, only the most interesting aspects for the author have been reflected in the work. Undoubtedly they require further analysis and research especially including manuscript sources.