Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/156

130 duced in some later chronicles and other written documents, the originals unfortunately have not been preserved.

By the more general adoption of the art of writing and by the mighty regenerative movement caused by the acceptance of the Christian faith, a great development of literature was inaugurated. The scriptures were translated, hymns composed, and the saintly legends written.

The pious meditative spirit expressed itself in the composition of religous romance and descriptions of the passion. It is to be regretted that even of this period (9th to 14th century), only a few of the original manuscripts have been preserved.

The influence of foreign intercourse soon showed itself in the poetry of the period. The best examples of this literary form, are to be found in the works of Smil Flaška z Pardubic, whose fables, allegories and satires are well known. Of lyric poetry generally, there is of this time, but little to show. On the other hand chronicles and works of an historical kind, are a prominent feature of this time. The most ancient is by Kosmas (1045—1125), who is called the father of Bohemian history.

The great immigration of Germans into Bohemia under the last kings of the Přemysl dynasty, caused the awakening of a strong national feeling. One of the fruits of this movement is a chronicle called „Dalimil’s“, written in Bohemian at the beginning of the fourteenth century, it is full of patriotic feeling and love of country. Other writers of historical works about this period, were Beneš Krabice z Weitmile (d. 1375), Vavřinec z Březové, the old Lord of Rožmberk, who wrote for the most part on the subject of law (d. 1347) and Ondřej z Dubé (d. 1412).

The decline of morals in the Roman church caused an unprecedented agitation throughout the country and a strong desire for reform was manifested by the people. The depravity of the clergy was attacked vigourously by pen and sermon by such men as Konrad Waldhauser, J. Milič, Matěj z Janova (d. 1394), and Tomáš ze Štítného who was the first to write in Bohemian on moral philosophy. This great movement culminated in the appearance of Mag. Jan Hus (1369—1415), who became the recognised leader in the great moral revolution. The earnest desire of the re-