Chronica Aulae regiae; medieval chronicles; medieval historiography; 14th century

The present article aims to introduce new approaches to the work of the Zbraslav Cistercians, involving two interrelated levels: (1) it characterizes the Zbraslav Chronicle (Chronica Aulae regiae) as the result of efforts to create a place of memory for the last Přemyslid kings, especially Wenceslas II (1283–1305), and focuses on forms of fixation of collective memory used by the Zbraslav chroniclers; (2) it attempts to find out if these efforts of the Zbraslav chroniclers were successful. Methodologically, the analysis is based on the concept of collective memory expounded by Maurice Halbwachs. Other methodological impulses are drawn from the theories of Otto Gerhard Oexle, Jan Assmann and Pierre Nora; especially the latter’s concept of ‘realms of memory’ is developed. As ‘realms of memory’ one can consider also books or texts that – as great moments – stabilize historical (i.e. non-viable) memory. In the present study, the Zbraslav Chronicle is perceived as a work created with the ambition to establish an authoritative interpretation of Central European history at the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.