Jarosław Bogacki

Die Greiffenberger Chronik von Wolfgang Silber (um 1603) als früher schlesischer Repräsentant der Textsorte „städtische Chronik“ – eine textlinguistische Analyse

Introduction

Die greiffenberger chronik von wolfgang silber (um 1603) als früher schlesischer repräsentant der textsorte „städtische chronik“ – eine textlinguistische analyse. Die Greiffenberger Chronik (1603) von Wolfgang Silber, älteste schlesische Stadtchronik, textlinguistisch analysiert. Merkmale und die Entwicklung des Texttyps werden erforscht.

Abstract

The study focuses on the handwritten Greiffenberg Chronicle, composed around 1603 by the Protestant pastor Wolfgang Silber, which is regarded as the oldest extant representative of the text type “urban chronicle” for the respective city. Its aim is to identify the external and internal textual features of this chronicle within the framework of a text-linguistic analysis, in order to subsequently compare them with further representatives of the text type from the same reference area, the Lower Silesian district of Löwenberg, and to determine the factors underlying the change of this text type.

Review

This study presents a focused text-linguistic analysis of Wolfgang Silber's Greiffenberg Chronicle, dating to approximately 1603. The authors propose that this handwritten work, composed by a Protestant pastor, represents the earliest extant urban chronicle specifically for the city of Greiffenberg, making it a valuable primary source for regional history and linguistic inquiry. The research's primary objective is to meticulously identify both the external and internal textual features of this significant historical document, laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of its nature and contextual placement within early modern Silesian textual culture. The chosen methodology, a text-linguistic analysis, appears well-suited to dissect the complexities of such a historical text, promising insights into its structure, style, and communicative functions as a representative of its genre. Beyond the initial characterization of the Greiffenberg Chronicle, the study articulates an ambitious comparative goal: to contextualize Silber's work by juxtaposing it with other urban chronicles from the same Lower Silesian district of Löwenberg. This comparative approach is particularly compelling, as it aims to identify the underlying factors driving the evolution and change of the "urban chronicle" text type, thus contributing significantly to the fields of historical linguistics, genre studies, and regional historiography. A key strength of this research lies in its specific focus on a single, early manuscript, promising a detailed and nuanced examination that can inform broader theories of historical communication. By employing a text-linguistic lens, the authors are poised to reveal not only the formal aspects of the chronicle but also its potential role in shaping local identity and historical consciousness in early modern Silesia. The subsequent comparative analysis further enhances the study's potential impact, offering valuable insights into diachronic changes in historical writing genres. This work is highly anticipated to be a substantive contribution to our understanding of early modern textual practices and the socio-cultural dynamics reflected in regional urban chronicles.

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