Published: 2021-07-31

Last wills as instruments of power. Conclusions from an analysis of late-mediaeval Cracow last wills

Jakub Wysmułek
Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej
Section: Studies and Materials
DOI https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM69.2021.1.002

Abstract

The article explores the problem of late medieval last wills as instruments of power and of the impact they had on social and economic relations in a town. Power is defined as an ability to dispense certain resources according to one’s own wish, to influence an individual’s relations with other people and to control others’ conduct and behaviour. First, the origin of the medieval last will and its adoption in the legal practice of late-medieval Cracow is described, showing the impact of last wills on the gradual extension of an individual’s right to dispense their own property. In the latter part of the paper, the use of last wills to influence other people and to shape relations with them is discussed on the basis of multiple examples. The conclusion presents arguments for employing the model of power in studying last wills.

Keywords:

last wills, power, authority, control, law, Cracow, Middle Ages

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Wysmułek, J. (2021). Last wills as instruments of power. Conclusions from an analysis of late-mediaeval Cracow last wills. Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej, 69(1), 19–37. https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM69.2021.1.002

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