This book presents an innovative retelling of the history of medieval Silesia, by providing a truly inclusive narrative that considers a variety of perspectives. Silesia, the land on the Odra, at the crossroads of the German lands, Poland, and Bohemia, played a key role in the history of medieval Europe, bridging various cultures. The transformations of the thirteenth century, which included the migration of German, Francophone, and Jewish settlers in new towns and villages and legal, technological, and environmental innovations, had profound effects on language, culture, and the economy; proximity to Bohemia forced a reaction to the Hussite movement in the fifteenth century. This book combines a more familiar history with that of women and of other cultural and religious minority groups – Francophones, Jews, religious dissenters – who shared the territory of Silesia in the Middle Ages. This study will be an ideal resource for students of medieval Europe or anyone seeking an introduction to medieval Silesia and its diversity of cultures.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures and Maps Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Part 1: Silesia in the high Middle Ages (eleventh to thirteenth century) Chapter 1: A region at crossroads Silesia’s origins in a European context – Rulers over Silesia – Society and culture Chapter 2: Dukes and duchesses Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries – Silesian dukes and duchesses in the thirteenth century – Ruling the Silesian duchies Chapter 3: Connections of courtly culture. European aristocracy and chivalric culture – Nobility and knighthood – Literacy and the nobility – Chivalric literature – Chivalric lifestyle Chapter 4: The Silesian church and the Jewish community Changes in Christian society – Spiritual and secular authority – Jurisdiction over Jews – Churches and schools – Monasteries and convents – Documents and books – History writing, hagiography, and scholarship Chapter 5: Peasant society in an age of transformation Agricultural economy in high medieval Europe – Silesian peasants and Polish law – An era of innovation – Lords and peasants Chapter 6: Urbanization in a changing society Urbanization in the European high Middle Ages – Chartered towns: the law of Magdeburg – Urban population – Municipal administration – Town life and urban culture Part 2: Silesia in the late Middle Ages (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries). Chapter 7: Silesia and the crown of Bohemia Late medieval crises – Silesia and the House of Luxembourg – The Hussites and Silesia – Governance in the late Middle Ages Chapter 8: Courtly culture in Silesia and Europe Chivalry in late medieval Europe – The courts – Late medieval chivalry Chapter 9: Churches, monasteries, and synagogues Crises and renewal in the late Middle Ages – The bishops of Wrocław – Religious institutions in transition – Higher education – Book culture and art Chapter 10: Peasant society – continuity and crisis Late medieval challenges – Lords and the land – Villagers – Peasant culture Chapter 11: Towns in developing networks Towns and markets in late medieval Europe – Urbanization in late medieval Silesia – Merchants and artisans – Town life – Late medieval challenges – Jews and the municipal councils – Urban culture and society Chapter 12: Towards the modern age An era of change – The Habsburgs – The Reformation – Jews – New forms of domination – Urbanization and trade Conclusion Bibliography