Valentin Portnykh, a historian, researcher with PhD in history from Universit茅 Lyon 2 (France), a research assistant at the Chair of General History an NSU and the Head of the Laboratory on the Ancient and Medieval History, reconstructed, prepared comments and in cooperation with Ivan Remorov translated from Latin into Russian a treatise On the Preaching of the Holy Cross, (De predicatione crucis), which was written by a Dominican friar Humbert of Romans in the 13th century. The book has been published in Russian and can be borrowed from the NSU library.
The treatise in question is essentially an instruction for priests on what arguments and slogans would be most effective in convincing men to join the Crusades. Valentin Portnykh produced a new text, which is a reconstruction of the hypothetical original treatise, after carefully studying the manuscripts available. The restoration was necessary as there exist about 24 extant versions of the treatise, but the texts are just copies with a different degree of sticking to the original. The new text has been produced and translated into Russian. An associate professor at NSU with Ph.D. in linguistics, a teacher of Latin and a priest Ivan Remorov helped to edit and improve the translation. The book came out in April published by Aleteya as an edition of 1,000 copies.
鈥淣ot knowing the original number of manuscripts written in the 13th century, we cannot be sure about their popularity or circulation. However, the text did become popular in the 15th century, when 16 manuscripts and 1 printed version of 1459 were released. We are aware that not all the copies might be known now. Some of them could have been exterminated or gone to private collections,鈥� explains Valentin Portnykh.
The historian says that in the 15th century the treatise could have been used during Hussite Wars against the heretics. It might have been used to propagate ideas of defending Europe against Ottoman Turks as well. This is what we can conclude by studying the documents found next to the treatise in some manuscripts.
The treatise De predicatione crucis is divided into chapters. However, it doesn鈥檛 seem to be a collection of sermons when the preacher just delivers them. This volume is more fundamental. It is concerned with the basic principles of propagating ideas, and preachers were supposed to compile their sermon based on the materials given and using Humbert鈥檚 suggestions.
Valentin explains that the treatise is not a great literary work written by a gifted author. Neither of the manuscripts was a ceremonial edition that could be kept as a treasure by some noble members of society. They don鈥檛 look like highly-valued possessions. These manuscripts look like common notes that preachers write in their ordinary rather than sophisticated handwriting.
Chapters of the treatise end with invitationes (brief and direct exhortations to take the cross) in order to raise the emotional pitch of the proceedings and encourage potential crusaders to believe that the project was not only justified, but also urgent and enticing. They are followed by hymn-singing and count 26 altogether. You can enjoy their translations into Russian or Latin given in the book.
鈥淚f we analyze the style of the chapters,鈥� says the historian, 鈥渨e see that they contain clear arguments, cold-hearted and articulate. Such logical reasoning was to turn into a sermon influencing the mind, while the invitation was emotional and influenced feelings. I suppose the latter was a ready piece of the text that was delivered without any changes.鈥�
The book De predicatione crucis could be useful for those interested in history. Moreover, the arguments of a medieval preacher aimed at persuading the flock to sign up for the Crusade can attract anyone studying propaganda and politics. Look for the book at major book stores or borrow it from the NSU library.
