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 THE ORIGINS OF CRACOW reliquary, filled with earth from the Holy Sepulchre; on its outward side the triumphs of the prince were represented in Oriental symbols by an Arabian sculptor. Of the same origin and date is another relic, preserved in the same treasury under the name of "St. Hedwig's chalice." The cup of it is made of dim greenish glass, and, on its outward circumference, shows, in broad polished outlines, the conventionalized image of a spread eagle between two lions rampant. The silver base is later work, of the fourteenth century; there are engraved on it the figures of St. Hedwig, John the Baptist, Samson rending the lion, the sudarium of St. Veronica, and the pelican ripping up its breast to feed its young. Tradition assigns this chalice to St. Hedwig (1243); most probably she got it as a present from a crusader returning from the Holy Land. The bindings of the Gospel MSS. tradition reports to have been adorned with precious bosses and buckles, and clothed with enamel, gems, and costly reliefs of ivory and silver; even nowadays, such as are preserved, form the treasures of some collections outside Cracow. The coronation sword of Poland's kings, called Szczerbiec, a magnificent piece of German work of the early thirteenth century, is now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg. Of the altar ornaments of other churches in those times, Corpus Christi Church still possesses an enamelled altar cross of the thirteenth century. Besides the image of the crucified Saviour, there are enamelled on this cross figures of angels, the symbols of the Evangelists, and Adam: the master who did this work seems to have learned his art at Limoges.

Now let us abandon the history of art for a moment, to cast a glance on the political situation of Cracow. The warlike Boleslaus III (1102-1138) showed his energy by strengthening the position of Christianity, enlarging his territory, and re-establishing the authority of Poland as a political power. But the order of succession as settled by his will became fatal to the monarchy, which now was divided into several separate dukedoms. True, the Grand Duke of Cracow was to be supreme over the rest, and thus the town was appointed the capital of Poland, but soon it