Cosmas of Prague Virtual Library. Study on the Beginnings of the Prague Cathedral Chapter Library Study on the Beginnings of the Prague Cathedral Chapter Library Cosmas of Prague Virtual Library Study on the Beginnings of the Prague Cathedral Chapter Library
Abstract
Despite a lack of sources, the author endeavours to investigate the beginnings of the oldest library in the Czech lands, the library at the Prague, from 976AD cathedral, church, or cathedral chapter, between the 9th and 12th centuries. Besides occasional preserved manuscripts and - somewhat more commonly - fragments of manuscript, which can be linked to the chapter library, as well as period reports on the acquisition of certain books, she looks at sources used and literary influences in the national chronicle written by Dean of Prague chapter, Cosmas (+ 21 October 1125), the only known author of a large work operating over the period looked at in the Prague chapter.
Besides containing basic religious books, textbooks for the cathedral school and legal writings, the chapter library likely also contained a number of works of ancient and early Christian authors (in particular Sallust and Boethius) as well as mediaeval Czech and Holy Roman Empire chronicles, annals and legends.