Polish literature

Polish literature is the literary tradition of Poland. The majority of Polish literature was written in the Polish language, though other languages used in Poland throughout the ages (including Latin, Yiddish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and German) also add up to the Polish literary traditions.

History

Middle Ages

The earliest monuments of the Polish literature date back to Middle Ages. Inspired by the Christian traditions recently imported from other parts of Europe, local anonymous copists prepared copies of - mostly religious - books that were popular in Western Europe at that time. Around 11th century local scriptoria were founded and the first books on Polish lands were created. Among the most notable examples of early Polish books are the Latin Missal of bishop Cio?ek and the Gradua? Olbrachta.

Related Topics:
11th century - Scriptoria - Missal - Gradua? Olbrachta

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In early 1470's first printing houses are opened in Kraków and Wroc?aw. Twenty years later the first cyrillic printing house was founded in Kraków by the Orthodox church hierarchs.

Related Topics:
Printing house - Kraków - Wroc?aw

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Among the most notable works of literature of the epoch are:

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• Chronicle of Bavarian Geographer (11th century)
• ?wi?tokrzyskie Annals (early 12th century)
• Chronicles of Gallus Anonymus
• Chronicles of Wincenty Kad?ubek (13th century)
• Chronicle of Janko of Czarnków (14th century)
• Breviary of Czerwi?sk
• ?wi?tokrzyskie Sermons - the oldest known relic of the Polish language
• Bible of Queen Sophia (earliest Polish-language Bible)
• Psalter of Pu?awy
• Saint Florian's Breviary (late 14th century, partially in Polish)
• Bogurodzica - a Polish song praising Virgin Mary written down in 14th century, although most probably popular at least a century before; one of the first texts printed in Polish
• Gradual of king John I Olbracht of Poland
• Missal of Erazm Cio?ek (ca. 1515)
• Statua synodalia Wratislaviensia (1475) - a collection of printed Polish and Latin prayers
• Hortulus Animae by Florian Ungler (1513) - the first book printed entirely in Polish
• Jan D?ugosz's Chronicle (15th century)
• Psa?terz Dawidów (David's Psalter)
• Communae Poloniae Regni privilegium by Jan ?aski
• Catalogus archiepiscoporum Gnesnensium by Jan D?ugosz

There are also several short texts in Polish, mostly under heavy influence of contemporary Western literature. Among such texts is the Bogurodzica, a short song praising Virgin Mary which was used as a Polish anthem and Rozmowa mistrza Polikarpa ze ?mierci?.

Related Topics:
Bogurodzica - Virgin Mary

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Renaissance

With the advent of renaissance, the Polish language was finally accepted as equal to Latin. Polish culture and art flourished under Jagiellonian rule and many foreign poets and writers settle in Poland, bringing new literary trends with them. Among such writers were Kallimach (Filip Buonaccorsi) and Konrad Celtis. Many other Polish writers study either abroad or in the Academy of Kraków, which became a melting pot of new ideas and trends. In 1488 the Nadwi?la?skie Bractwo Literackie, the first club of writers in the world, was created in Kraków.

Related Topics:
Renaissance - Jagiellonian - Kallimach - Filip Buonaccorsi - Konrad Celtis - Academy of Kraków - 1488 - Nadwi?la?skie Bractwo Literackie

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Among the last Polish writers to use Latin as the main means of expression was Klemens Janicki (Ianicius), who became one of the most notable Latin poets of his times and was laureled by the pope. Others like Miko?aj Rej and Jan Kochanowski laid foundations for creation of Polish literary language and modern Polish grammar.

Related Topics:
Klemens Janicki - Laurel - Miko?aj Rej - Jan Kochanowski

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Among the most notable Polish writers and poets active in 16th century were:

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• Miko?aj Rej (1505-1569)
• Jan Kochanowski (1530-1584)
• Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski (1503-1572)
• Szymon Szymonowic (1558-1629)
• ?ukasz Górnicki (1524-1603)
• Piotr Skarga (1536-1612)
• Andrzej Krzycki (1482-1537)
• Miko?aj Hussowski Hussowczyk (died ca. 1533)
• Jan Dantyszek Dantiscus (1485-1548)
• Klemens Janicki Ianicius (1516-1542)