48

A HISTOj^Y OF BOHEMIAN LITERATURE

have no knowledge of Bohemia from the writings of native authors during a considerable number of years.

Somewhat later we find the chroniclers Peter of Zittau, abbot of K5nigraal, and Francis, provost of Prague; the work of the former writer deals with the annals of Bohemia from 1253 to 1338, while the work of Francis, beginning with the year 1333, carries on the history of Bohemia up to the year 1362. More interesting than any of these chronicles are the works of several writers who flourished during the reign of Charles IV. (i 346-1 378). Though Charles only acquired the Bohemian language when already grown up, and always used Latin in his own writings, yet his interest in the language of his favourite country was very great. It is during his reign, and probably through his influence, that we find Bohemian translations of Latin historical works appearing almost simultaneously Charles IV. himself ranks with the Latin originals. among the Bohemian historians. His Commentarius de Vita Caroli Bohemice Regis et postea Imperatoris ab ipso Carolo conscriptus is of the greatest interest, and gives an insight into the true nature of the great sovereign The book very which we scarcely find elsewhere. clearly shows us Charles's attachment to his country, his piety, and his strong tendency to mysticism, the latter a characteristic of the king of which perhaps only Bohemian historians have taken sufficient account. If it were not contrary to the plan of this book to give lengthy quotations from works not written in the Bohemian language, the Commentarius would certainly deserve a The book has unfortunately more extensive notice. reached us in a very incomplete state. It appears probable that the writer intended to conclude his work