Obraz postaw i powinności dzieci wobec rodziców w pełnym średniowieczu (w świetle De regimine filiorum nobilium Wincentego z Beauvais i De regimine principum Idziego Rzymianina)

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the image of children’s attitudes and duties towards their parents presented in two selected thirteenth-century educational treatises. These are De regimine filiorum nobilium by Vincent of Beauvais and De regimine principum by Giles of Rome. Both authors unanimously enumerate filial obedience as well as honour and respect as the most important duties of children to their parents. Additionally, Vincent mentions that children should also support parents and provide them with necessities when they are old and in need. Yet, the authors differ on the motives of children’s behaviours. For Vincent of Beauvais filial obedience results from God’s commandments, and disobedience is its infringement and as such will be punished. For Giles of Rome children should first all be obedient and subjected to their parents because of their love to them. Nevertheless, he also adds that this is also because parents are superior to children. The differences in the motives result first of all from the fact that the authors refer to two different traditions and sources, the former to the Bible and Christian writers, the latter to Aristotle’s works.