The Use of Pragmatic Documents in Medieval Wallachia and Moldavia. Fourteenth to Sixteenth Century
Mihai-D. Grigore
In this book, Mariana Goina provides a solid study of “pragmatic writing” and its documentation in the Danube Principalities Wallachia Moldavia between fourteenth sixteenth centuries. This is well-crafted useful overview on charters, letters, diplomas, certificates inheritance, so forth. The author defines term pragmatic documents with quote from Richard Britnell page 2 as “a means by which almost any type authority could be better safeguarded” formulates goal book: to fill gap Romanian international historiography Principalities, has mostly not provided an in-depth discussion use literacy literature—although there no politics or administration possible without them. Showing 4 that “the types surviving early Wallachian Moldavian are similar those Carolingian Europe, Anglo-Saxon England Medieval Scandinavia,” contributes decisively de-exoticizing proves them “normal” part Europe other.The sound analysis literary history, diplomacy, cultural history literacy. adjacent fields, it satisfactory, but little bit schematic characterized blanket statements. For example, 16, creation Metropolis noted having taken place under reign voivode Alexander Great (1400–1432), contested extended valid studies assess foundation metropolitan see, was already lord Petru Mușat 1386. problem I see here inflexible affirmation “late” organization “bishopric” (which metropolis at least arch-bishopric); is, would accurate for church consider mention whole trend historiography, well defended arguments, showing hypothesis might true nuanced. strong impetus show how pervasively Latin faith culture were spread until middle fifteenth century supported, lack contrary arguments really huge research scholarship, plainly becomes ideology.This, however, trifle should overshadow merits Goina’s consistent monograph, first all, very structured. After short Preface followed lists figures, tables, abbreviations, (bit rudimentary thus somewhat nonrelevant) map Transylvania, Wallachia, Moldavia, book starts usual Introduction, accompanied historical introduction political administration, social rest two parts, Part One shaped “A Survey Sources” Two consisting detailed “Use Dissemination Pragmatic Documents.” ends Conclusions; Appendix, lords centuries; bibliography; (too-short less helpful) index.The good source evidence, complemented valuable insights into their goals, style, layout, material, agency, preservation, explanation conditions (e.g., education origins scribes) also comes play well. Good exposition transfer epistolary diplomatic style West Orthodox East one great qualities visibly concerned accentuation processes integration, entanglement, communication different areas premodern modern Europe. Another aspect strongly appreciate translations (originally Latin, Slavonic, even Old Romanian) English, form break language barriers again de-exoticize topic.Another contribution extensive weakens stereotypes. Goina, impressively, shows Slavonic necessarily exclusively chancellery general opinion among scholars (p. 90). instance, predominantly used and, nota bene, German correspondence centuries.The highly technical implies book—due accuracy completeness—is hermetic “dry” larger public outside academia perhaps unappealing, personal possibly contradicted future developments. disappointed because my expectations raised preface when she said undertaking animated her thoughts, “ended up asking [herself] literate princes boyars have been” fourteenth, fifteenth, question, unfortunately, remains unanswered, although been most informative stimulating thread follow elaborate.To conclude, we well-structured monograph reference work Moldavia. think, fact, hard offer something new analysis, regarding fact other documents—or many—remaining undiscovered capable informing substantially modifying results analysis. discussed categories, contextualized, inventoried, statistically recorded; key formulations translated; aspects depth, much left others do. sense, referential unmissable specialists written culture, administrative documents, law administration. It must missing bookshelf historian!
Hiperboreea