Publication details
Kralice w czasach Žerotinów i kralickie centrum wydawnicze braci czeskich
| Title in English | Kralice in the Time oft the Žerotins and the publishing centre of the Czech Brethern |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The work of the Bible and publishing centre of the Unity of Brethren in Kralice nad Oslavou between the years 1578 and 1621 is one of the most important phenomena of the early modern cultural history of Bohemia and Moravia. The publication of the Kralice Bible was possible partly due to the remarkable patron John the Elder and later Charles the Elder from Žerotín, who provided the Brethren theologians with a stronghold at their farm in Kralice, situated between their estates in Náměšť nad Oslavou and Rosice, which they purchased in 1572 from the knight Jindřich Kralický of Kralice. The Žerotíns created the perfect organisational and economic conditions for the Brethren's centre. From the sparse sources available we may assume that they established a new manor farmstead in Kralice, while they let the proceeds from the original farm accrue for the benefit of the people living in the stronghold in Kralice. Some of the clergy working in Kralice were also presented as the Žerotíns' court staff, which not only provided them with an income, but also protection during the imminent counter-reformation. Another form of patronage by the Žerotíns was introducing the Unity of Brethren clergy to the local serfs. It seems that some of the people working at the stronghold lived in houses owned by the Kralický family; the same was true of the pupils who came from various parts of the Žerotín domains and from even further afield. Some of these pupils, many of whom were later to find employment in the authority office or other court services, studied at the school established as part of the Brethren’s spiritual centre, while others were evidently engaged in various ancillary activities. Along with the theologians and Bible scholars, librarians, printers, bookbinders and other employees made up a community here which was to issue a total of fifty-nine books. |
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