The medieval Polish Church and the question of perjury (selected issues)

Abstract

The article discusses the attitude of the medieval Church in Poland towards the problem of perjury. Periurium, understood as a breach of an oath or a false testimony made under oath, was, by its nature, an object of interest to the Church. Synodal legislation contributed to the fight against perjury, which tried to change legal customs and adapt them to the recommendations of canon law. In order to combat perjury, the Church used a variety of instruments of penalties and penances applied to both clergy and laity.