Pavel Zidek Czech writer. Country: Czech

1. Early Life and Education
2. Religious Life
3. Humanist Influences
4. Literary Contributions
5. Legacy and Lost Works

Early Life and Education

Jan Žídek was a Czech writer of Jewish descent born in the 15th century. He studied medicine in Vienna and Italy before pursuing a career in the Church.

Religious Life

In 1442, Žídek returned to his homeland and was ordained as a priest. He received a master's degree from the University of Prague and was appointed a canon. As a fervent defender of the Roman Catholic Church against the Hussites, he was forced to flee Prague for Kraków and later Breslau.

Humanist Influences

Žídek's conversion to the Hussite faith landed him in prison. However, he was released through the intervention of King George of Poděbrady, who commissioned him to write a chronicle and treatise on the duties of a king.

Literary Contributions

Žídek's major works include the "Chronica" in Czech and the "Sprawowna," a book on royal obligations. He also wrote the Latin encyclopedia "Liber magnus" or "Viginti artium liber," which was long attributed to Pan Twardowski and is now preserved in the Jagiellonian Library in Kraków.

Legacy and Lost Works

Jan Žídek died shortly after the death of King George in 1471. Despite his prolific writing, many of his other works have been lost to time. His encyclopedia remains a testament to his erudition in the fields of art and science.