FAQ

A Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword

Publication date: 15.02.2011

Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia, 2010, Volume 8, pp. 39 - 47

Authors

,
Dagmara Budzioch
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gołębia 24, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
All publications →
Maciej Tomal
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gołębia 24, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
All publications →

Titles

A Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword

Abstract

The present article deals with the problem of the presumably Hebrew inscription on the coronation sword of Polish kings, known as the “Szczerbiec”. Our objective is not to recall or reconstruct the complexity of its history. It is rather to expose some elements of the sword’s bizarre haps and mishaps, as far as they may cast some light on the emergence of the inscription and its meaning. The main purpose of our attempt is to present one possible consistent reading of the inscription, taking into account some historical and linguistic data. Our proposal draws from some previous reconstructions, both past and current. Finally, however, we hope to offer an original interpretation of the inscription.

References

Biborski, M. (2010): Szczerbiec – koronacyjny miecz królów polskich. Pierwsze badania nad jego technologią, Alma Mater 122–123: 77–82.

Breuer, J. (2002): The Hebrew in the Babylonian Talmud according to the Manuscripts of Tractate Pesaim, Jerusalem (Hebr.).

Eldar (Adler), I. (1978): The Hebrew Language Tradition in Medieval Ashkenaz (ca. 950–1350), vol. 1: Phonology and vocalization, Jerusalem (Hebr.).

Gloger, Z. (1985): s.v. Szczerbiec, Encyklopedia staropolska, 5th ed., vol. IV, Warszawa: 307–308.

Gumowski, M. (1959): Szczerbiec polski miecz koronacyjny, Małopolskie Studia Historyczne 2 (2/3): 5–18.

Harshav, B. (2006): The Other Culture: Yiddish and Jewish Discourse, in: B. Harshav, Selected Writings, vol. 4, Jerusalem (Hebr.).

Jacobs, N.C. (2005): Yiddish. A Linguistic Introduction, Cambridge.

Kazimierski, Sz. (2008): Szczerbiec, Kurier Galicyjski (Lwów), no. 18 (70): 16–17.

Kopera, F. (1904): Dzieje skarbca koronnego, czyli insygniów i klejnotów koronnych Polski, Kraków.

Kuczyński, S.K. (1961): O polskim mieczu koronacyjnym, Przegląd Historyczny 52: 562–577.

Muchowski, P. (2007): Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword?, text presented during the Polish-Israeli conference on “Polish-Jewish Heritage” organized by Tel-Aviv University and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań.

Niborski, I. (1999): Dictionnaire des mots d’origine hébraique et araméenne en usage dans la langue Yiddish, Paris.

Nadolski, A. (1954): Studia nad uzbrojeniem polskim w X, XI i XII wieku, Łódź.

Nadolski, A. (ed.) (1990): Uzbrojenie w Polsce średniowiecznej 1350–1450, Łódź.

Rokosz, M. (1988): Legenda Szczerbca, Studia Historyczne 31: 3–21.

Sadowski, J.N. (1892): Miecz koronacyjny polski „Szczerbcem” zwany. Z 2 tablicami i 12 rycinami w tekście, Kraków.

Semkowicz, W. (1951): Paleografia łacińska, Kraków.

Information

Information: Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia, 2010, Volume 8, pp. 39 - 47

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish:

A Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword

English:

A Hebrew Inscription on the Polish Coronation Sword

Authors

Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gołębia 24, 31-007 Kraków, Poland

Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain

Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gołębia 24, 31-007 Kraków, Poland

Published at: 15.02.2011

Article status: Open

Licence: None

Percentage share of authors:

Dagmara Budzioch (Author) - 50%
Maciej Tomal (Author) - 50%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English

View count: 2202

Number of downloads: 1685