Gallus Anonymus

Gallus Anonymus (Polish: Gall Anonim) living in 11th and 12th century was the first Polish historian, author of "Cronicae et gesta ducum sive principum Polonorum" (ca. 1115).

Gallus Anonymus nationality is unknown, probably French (thus Gallus). He might have been a cistercian monk. Some speculate he is also an author of Gesta Hungarorum. Gallus Anonymus had great impact on later history of Poland as his version of early Polish history underlines that the authority of the ruler is inferior to the authority of God expressed in the voice of the assembly of all people (as in Latin proverb "Vox populi, vox dei"). This, through works of Wincenty Kadlubek and Stanislaw of Skarbimierz, led to the development of the unique Golden Liberty in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, where kings were elected and bound to obey the parliament (Sejm).