Abstrakt
The ample literary work of the Jesuit historian Maximilianus Wietrowsky (1660-1737) contains - apart from philosophical, theological and spiritual works - especially historiographical texts. In these, he focuses particularly on the history of the Church in Europe, describes the heretical movements, schisms and ecumenical councils, relates the lives of Popes and examines the papal primacy.
His historiographical compilations are sophisticated in terms of language and style, abounding with rhetorical ornaments, figures and tropes. The author admits that his works are derivative and provides numerous references to his sources in the side notes or directly in the text; he also uses historical sources like council documents, letters, chronicles etc.
Wietrowsky does not, however, mention his main source: French historian Louis Maimbourg (1610-1686). Wietrowskyʼs Historia S.
Joannis Nepomuceni is a different type of text, a prestigious print which was published in 1729 as a part of the celebration of canonization of St. John of Nepomuk and soon translated into German, Czech, and even French.
Historia S. Joannis Nepomuceni, albeit unsigned, was Wietrowskyʼs greatest success and is cited in a large number of later Nepomucene monographs.