Das Große Pomrische Kirchen-Chronicon

The Grosse Pomrische Kirchen-Chronicon by the theologian and historian Daniel Cramer (1558-1637), first published in 1602 and here reissued as a reprint of the enlarged edition of 1628, is justly considered to be one of the greatest regional histories of the early modern age. By dedicating the work to Duke Boguslav XIV of Pomerania, Cramer expressed the hope that the Duke would maintain the lasting geographical and religious unity of the duchy. But Cramer could not have foreseen the developments caused by the Thirty Years’ War and its accompanying devastation. The work is divided into four “Books” which describe the church history of Pomerania from the beginnings of Christianity until Cramer’s own times, and also covers spheres of life linked with the church such as political developments and intellectual history. By including additional information about economic and social life, Cramer created a lively and comprehensive description of several centuries of regional history, with a sound basis in written sources and expert knowledge, which is still worth reading today.