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How Humanist Inspiration Entered Medieval Chronicle
The Case of Jan Długosz’s Annals
Abstract In Jan Długosz’s chronicle “Annales seu Cronicae Incliti Regni Poloniae” from the second half of the fifteenth century, both medieval and humanist influences can be noted. This paper asks to what degree humanist inspiration could have determined the artistic and historiosophical resonance of the work. First, the circumstances are discussed in which Długosz might have come into contact with elements of Italian humanism. Special attention is paid to the works of the ancient and humanist authors that the chronicler had become acquainted with before he started to compose Annals. Second, a more detailed analysis is devoted to the impact exerted on Długosz by Livy who the Polish chronicler preferred to emulate as writer. The examination concentrates on very specific sections of narrative from each chronicle that reflect the historiosophical viewpoints of its author. The importance of a more in-depth study of the direct influence of Italian humanists on Długosz is also pointed out.
