Taking over the art, archive and library collections of Knights of the Cross with the Red Star in Silesia during the cassation proceedings in light of the “Büsching Files”

Abstract

The paper consists of a source edition of documents pertaining the cassation of the St. Matthias convent of Knights of the Cross with the Red Star in Wrocław and its subordinate commanderies of St. Michael in Świdnica and of Saints Peter and Paul in Ziębice. All three were appropriated by the Prussian state based on the secularisation edict of 1810. The edition was complemented by a historical commentary introducing the readers to the character of the sources and including a concise description of their contents. The presented files provide information primarily on the cassation proceedings. Moreover, they note works of art (paintings and drawings) and handicraft as well as abundant library and sheet music collections, which following the secularisation were included into the collections of the University of Wrocław.