Posługi duszpasterskie przy wojskach polskich w wiekach średnich

Abstract

Religious service is one of the essential duties of clergymen for army; legal orders connected with this matter were established in the eight century and were of common character. The military priesthood in Polish army appeared probably with the Christianization. The first certified information about religious services originates from the times of Bolesław Chrobry. Direct information about chaplains participations in Polish forces can be found in Gall chronicles and others of Mistrz Wincenty and of Długosz. Vestigal information in other descriptive and diplomatic sources also indicate the presence of clergymen in Polish forces due to priesthood and political reasons as well. Regarding few historical sources and in spite of certified presence of chaplains in Polish forces it cannot be stated that: - chaplain services, functions were separated from other priesthood functions; - this kind of services was provided by special clerical staff.