Václav Hájek z Libočan

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Václav Hájek z Libočan

Václav Hájek z Libočan , also Wenceslaus Hagacius ( Hagek ) of Libotschan , Wenceslai Hagecii , Wenceslai Hagek of Liboczan , (†  March 18, 1553 in Prague ) was a Bohemian chronicler and author of a chronicle about the history of Bohemia.

Life

Wenzel Hagek ( Hajek ) von Libotschan came from a small nobility from Libotschan in the Saaz district. In 1520 he became pastor in Kosteletz an der Eger near Budin an der Eger , a year later chaplain in Slonitz . Initially a supporter of the Bohemian Brethren , he converted to Catholicism in 1521 . In 1524 he worked as a preacher at St. Thomas on Prague's Lesser Town . From 1527 he was dean of the Karlštejn castle and pastor in Tetin . In May 1533 he was appointed administrator of the by the royal officialsCalled Collegiate Chapter of St. Peter and Paul on Vyšehrad . In 1544 he rose to the position of provost of the collegiate chapter in Altbunzlau . A year later, he fell from grace, was arrested for disobedience and died in Prague in 1553.

timeline

Title page of Kronika česká

His extensive chronicle of Bohemian history covers the period from the arrival of the legendary ancestor Čech in 644 to the coronation of Ferdinand I as King of Bohemia in 1526. Although it was one of the standard works of Bohemian history until the end of the 18th century, it contains numerous inaccuracies, errors, misinterpretations and legends. Even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe his knowledge extended history of Bohemia with Hájek Chronicle. Since a review by Gelasius Dobner , which appeared 1761–1782, Hájek's chronicle lost its importance. Modern research is once again considered to be a valuable historical source. Not only for the time it describes, but also for the literary development of Czech literature , which comes to life in the time it was written and sheds light on the coexistence between Germans and Czechs in Bohemia.

Works

  • Kronyka Czeská, Prague 1541 ( digitized version of the original )
  • Wenceslai Hagecii of Libotschan, Bohemian Chronicle, of the origin of the Bohemians, of their origins and the arrival of kings, counts and aristocrats, of knightly exercises and tournaments, of domestic and foreign wars, of fortifications of the country and cities: the same as the practice of idolatry and conversion to Christianity, from the establishment of ancient churches, bishops, donors, and the high school. As well as from mines and salt wells, from privileges and antiques, from good order, Müntz, Maas, weight, from strange clothing, from natural wonders, land punishments, and what else happened in spiritual and worldly dealings . Fritsch, Leipzig 1718 ( digitized edition of the University and State Library Düsseldorf )
  • Václav Hájek z Libočan: Bibliography at LitDok East Central Europe / Herder Institute (Marburg)

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Johannes Urzidil : Goethe in Böhmen , Berlin, Darmstadt, Vienna 1962
personal data
SURNAME Hájek z Libočan, Václav
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hagacius of Libotschan, Wenceslaus; Hagek von Libotschan, Wenceslaus; Hagecii, Wenceslai; Hagek from Liboczan, Wenceslai
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Bohemian chronicler of the Middle Ages
DATE OF BIRTH 15th century
DATE OF DEATH March 18, 1553
Place of death Prague