Abstract

Until the middle of the 19th century, the nobility formed the top of the social elite. It maintained its social privileges linked to ancestry until the end of the monarchy. High ecclesiastical authorities were tied to ancestry, too. Therefore, private aristocratic libraries contain a large amount of professional study literature in the field of theology. Liturgical books and songbooks were used as equipment of castle chapels. The most numerous part of religious literature consists of prayer books for the use of individual family members.

Keywords: aristocratic libraries, liturgical books, prayer books