The Prague Studies of Bolko V, Duke of Opole — a Problem of Identification

Abstract

The following article concerns the Prague studies of Bolko V, Duke of Opole (died 1460), also known as the Hussite, the Heretic or Wołoszek. To be more precise, the article returns to the hypothesis concerning his studies in Prague, which were supposed to end with obtain‑ ing the bachelor degree (bachelor of liberal arts). To this end, the article focuses on the earlier findings of historians and enters a polemic with those sources (particularly the works of Maciej Woźny), which leads the author to completely new conclusions and allows him to disprove the earlier findings. The article establishes that the primary sources as well as Polish literature on the subject contributed to the creation of a historiographical myth (particularly due to the information included in Annales Glogovienses) regarding Duke Bolko V and his education, which stemmed from insufficiently critical approach to the source material and its selective use. Primarily, the issue concerns incorrect analysis of a writ of the Papal office, dating May 7, 1413, which was, according to Woźny, supposed to shed new light onto the subject, and which has been reinterpreted in the present article. Moreover, the confrontation of the earlier research findings with the source documents as well as Czech literature (particularly hitherto unused stu‑ dent registers and dean’s records of the Prague universities) did not allow to consider the Duke a student of a university in Prague. In light of the repeated analysis of the issue of the Prague studies of Bolko V, Duke of Opole and an interpretation of the archived primary sources,
the author argues that it is impossible to substantiate the claim that Bolko V ever studied in Prague and obtained a bachelor’s degree (at least until new sources emerge).