Although Ernst Kantorowicz formulated for the Ottonian and early Salian ruling system a characteristic of „liturgical kingship”, there are not many works about the influence of the mass (main liturgy of Christianity) on a political culture of the aforementioned period. It appears, however, that celebrations of the mass in which rulers participated, had the immense impact not only on the religiosity of kings but also on the politics in kingdom. 

 

The project consist of four main parts: 

 

 

 

 

In the first part I discuss one of the most sacralizing prayers for rulers, which was inserted to the Roman Canon of the Mass by Charles the Bald around 869 and spread in the Ottonian and Salian political culture. 

 

In the second part I analyze the illuminations of rulers included into liturgical manuscripts as the means of sacralization of political power not in terms of royal propaganda, but rather as visual prayers whose aim was to beseech the ruler with the divine grace. 

 

The third part is devoted to the interpretation of narratives which describe the special link between king and the sacrament of the Eucharist, especially while kings were receiving communion. 

 

The fourth part deals with the role of the precious liturgical manuscripts for the sacralization of political power. Based on the case study of the manuscripts hitherto connected with the Piast dukes and kings, I argue that the link between sacralization of political power and precious manuscripts is more dubious than in the previous analysis of scholars.

 

The focus of my research may shed new light on the way in which sacrament of the Eucharist legitimized and sacralized earthly political power. Indeed, the impact of the liturgy, particularly in the form of the mass, influenced new forms of ruling; building dialogue and reaching consensus between the ruler, the aristocrats and the Churchmen.