Original scientific paper

Crkvene prilike u vrijeme Bernardina Frankopana (1453.–1529.)

Mile Bogović ; Gospičko–senjska biskupija

Abstract

Bernardin’s age saw the break of the Croatian medieval structures, both in the sacral and secular domain. Notwithstanding, Bernardin and the bishops of his time made brave attempts to save the valuable assets of medieval religion and culture for future generations. The author attempts in this paper to answer to the three following questions: (1) To what degree does the change of the church structures in Bernardin’s age affect Frankopans’ patronage of the dioceses of Senj and Krbava? (2) How was it possible that internationally renowned bishops headed the diocese of Modruš in Bernardin’s age? (3) What are the reasons for the establishment of the first Croatian printing houses, all of which produced prints in the Glagolitic alphabet? As has already been mentioned, the church structure changed in Croatia during Bernardin’s age. The seat of bishopric was moved first from Krbava to Modruš, and in the same year the Batttle of Krbava field took place the bishop had to take refuge in Vinodol. Bishop Kožičić was even there poorly protected so he finally settled in Rijeka. The Frankopans were patrons of the dioceses of Senj and Krbava (Modruš), but their power dropped at the time from its heights to the point of mere survival. The area under Bernardin’s authority and influence was in both sacral and secular aspect of special importance which, consequently, led to the appointment of esteemed church prelates as bishops of the diocese of Krbava-Modruš. They were able even in those difficult times to protect high cultural and religious spirit in the people which is evident from a lavish production of prints. However, alongside the prelates, local aristocrats were also meritorious for such deeds. Among the church prelates, the most significant figure for Croatia was Šimun Kožičić Benja, and among the aristocrats most certainly Bernardin Frankopan. Bernardin Frankopan and Šimun Kožičić Benja played the leading role at the turn of the late Middle Ages into the modern age on the Croatian territory. They stood firmly on the endangered ground and sought a way out of the difficulties that arouse in Croatia. Bernardin did that as a layman and Kožičić as a pontiff. They remained level-headed in finding ways to save from destruction the treasures of the previous generations for future ones. In that sense, those two men can be exemplars to everybody, especially to the sacral and secular intelligentsia.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

79725

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/79725

Publication date:

1.1.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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