The Oldest Hebrew Document in Poland (1485) and its Translations

The following article presents the content and the context of issuing of the oldest Hebrew document preserved in Poland, written in Kraków in 1485. Having analysed the history of the Kraków Kahal in the second half of the 15th century and trade politics conducted by large town centres in the Kingdom of Poland, the author relates this document to the activities conducted by the royal burgesses. These activities were to lead to a restriction of the rights of merchants-guests (hospites), and consequently the rights of the Jewish merchants. The text of the document (with a Polish translation) and its translations into Latin and German made in 1492 are included in an appendix.