Plaque commemorating Marek Bydžovský of Florentino

Commemorative plaque on the former birthplace of Marek Bydžovský of Florentino (1540–1612), a philosopher, astronomer and historian, who, besides his scientific and university work, also became famous for recording historical events in popular historical chronicles. 

Marek Bydžovský was born in 1540 in Nový Bydžov to the family of Václav Moravec, a local burgher. In 1576 he started working at Charles University as a professor at the Faculty of Arts. He held many positions at the university and was elected dean a total of five times, and was also appointed rector in 1589. He studied philosophy, interpreted the writings of Aristotle and Cicero, and was an astronomer, and astrologer and also a historian. In astronomy he placed his observations in the context of the astrological doctrine of the time, while he earned great acclaim for his historical texts, which he originally wrote for his own personal pleasure. He recorded historical events in chronicles, publishing a total of six works. King Maximilian II awarded him an aristocratic title in recognition of his importance and Marek Bydžovský chose the epithet “of Florentino”. The most well-known of his historical chronicles nowadays is the famous set entitled “The World under the Three Kings of Bohemia”. In Nový Bydžov he is honoured by a commemorative plaque marking the former site of his birthplace, installed on the occasion of the traditional Studentská merenda festival in 1875.

KALAŠOVÁ, M.: Marek Bydžovský z Florentina – kronikář Český. Časopis o historii a pomocných vědách historických. 1/2005, str. 4–12.

 

KOLÁR, J.: Český kronikář Marek Bydžovský z Florentina. Strahovská knihovna, 12–13/1977–1978.

Marek Bydžovský z Florentina (Author: Public domain)

(Author: PH)