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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 74 (1990): Our Past

Articles

Polish grave banners and their connection with the idea of militis christiani

  • Irma Kozina
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1990.74.237-255  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1990-12-30

Abstract

One of the extremely rare monuments today are Polish grave flags, which are kept in museums and churches. The custom of making grave flags from silk dates back to the Middle Ages. The oldest information on this subject known today comes from a written source, which mentions the banner of Grand Duke Vytautas, who died in 1430, and which once hung over his grave in the Vilnius cathedral. Numerous sources, especially church inventories and coats of arms, confirm that this unique tomb setting was particularly popular among the nobility in the 15th-17th centuries. Unfortunately, the material from which most of the flags were made was characterized by very poor durability, which is why the number of flags that have survived to this day is only about ten. The oldest of them is the tomb banner of Stanisław Barzi, which was once located over his grave in the Krakow Cathedral (now in the Wawel Museum). In addition to the inscription, which briefly describes the most important facts from the deceased's life, the tombstones also feature his portrait - most often as a figure kneeling next to a crucifix. There are also known flags depicting a standing figure or with an equestrian portrait (such as the above-mentioned flag of Grand Duke Witold). According to Jan Malina's funeral speech from the 17th century, grave banners are a kind of monument in honor of famous knights who "distinguished themselves for the homeland". This view is indirectly confirmed by the medieval knightly tradition and later sermons that refer to the idea of "Militis Christiani".

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