by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: January 12, 2009

The Short Chronicle, is an account of the history of the reformation in Geneva written by a Genevan Catholic nun named Jeanne de Jussie. Written from the Convent of Saint Clare and published in 1611, Jussie's narrative is comprised of fragmented anecdotes on events that occurred during the period of Reformation in Geneva. Jussie's accounts not only reflect her personal experience of the Reformation, but also include various references to wider social, political, and economic conflicts during the time. When examining The Short Chronicle as a historical source, however, the accuracy and reliability of the text face unceasing debate. The Short Chronicle is a good source for the history of the reformation in Geneva, if taken for what it is, a biased account told from the perspective of a Catholic nun living in Geneva during the tumultuous religious, social, and political upheaval of the Protestant Reformation.

On one hand, as written from a singular perspective, there should be no dispute concerning the accuracy of the source. The events included in the text are as accurate and true to reality for Jussie as they ever could be.
The anecdotes clearly represent events that ultimately shaped her opinions and reactions to the Reformation in Geneva. What does fall under scrutiny, however, is the reliability of these accounts, as it is evident that Jussie herself was not present during some of the incidents she reports on.
Despite its faults, this is without a doubt an accurate depiction of Jussie's personal, emotional reactions to the events occurring during her life. Additionally, The Short Chronicle is undoubtedly accurate in terms of its portrayal of the inner world of a convent during this historical period. As a nun, Jussie was presumably privy to certain information or conversations of which the general public may not have been made aware.

Arguably one of the most significant accuracies of this text, however, is Jussie's overall portrayal of Catholic views of protestant beliefs. On page 127, Jussie writes, "They completely condemned the Holy Mass as worthless and the divine sacraments as filthy and abominable things and all the other sacraments of the holy church," (127). She goes on to list several of the differing Protestant views.

Moreover, Jussie makes many references to historical events that have been accounted for in other records, thereby solidifying her reliability in terms of including factual events. Her text includes various accounts of iconoclastic behavior.

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