Published : 2025-12-17

The Place and Role of Zbigniew Oleśnicki in Polish-Teutonic Relations in the Light of Jan Długosz’s Annals

Abstract

The Bishop of Krakow, Cardinal Zbigniew Oleśnicki of the Dębno coat of arms, active in the political life of the Kingdom of Poland for several decades of the 15th century, played an important role in relations with the Teutonic Order at that time. His activities in this area, mainly diplomatic and sometimes military, were recorded by Jan Długosz, a long-time secretary and close associate of the Krakow hierarch. In his extensive historiographical work Annales seu cronicae incliti Regni Poloniae, Długosz clearly emphasized the bishop's commitment and achievements in pursuing an active policy towards the Teutonic Knights, with many episodes in this regard being recorded only in the above-mentioned source. It is therefore widely accepted that Oleśnicki himself provided the chronicler with information on this subject. Długosz held him in high esteem and admired him, expressing this also through his presentation of Oleśnicki’s achievements and merits in relations with the Teutonic Knights, in order to highlight and perpetuate his exceptional qualities of spirit and intellect.

Keywords:

Jan Długosz, Cardinal Zbigniew Oleśnicki, the Teutonic Order in the 15th century, Polish-Teutonic relations in the 15th century, Polish diplomacy in the 15th century



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Teka of the Historical Sciences Commission of the Learned Society of KUL |ISSN 2658-1175 eISSN 2719-3144 DOI: 10.18290/tkh

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