The Passion of the Robbers of Šlapanice according to Bartoš, the Executioner of Brno: Between history and parody
Abstract
The study presents a new edition of an intriguing opuscule entitled Passio raptorum de Slapanicz, secundum Bartoss, tortorem Brunnensem (Passion of the robbers of Šlapanice according to Bartoš, the executioner of Brno), describing a violent repression of a group of robbers tormenting the village of Šlapanice at Easter 1401 by burghers of Brno. The story is presented with ample use of phrases from and allusions to the Gospels, creating a coming effect.
Together with several other texts, it belongs among the so called "mock-Passion narratives." It survives in a sole manuscript (Prague, National library, III E 27, ff. 61r-63r) from the end of the 15th century. The event described is not documented in any other sources and the text displays several surprising features, such as a long list of (at least partly imaginary) villains, several exhortatory speeches, or a twisted validation formula.
Thus, it remains rather enigmatic.