„… den mit so gutem Erfolge betretenen Weg nicht zu verlassen“ Zur Rolle der Patrone beim Erhalt bzw. Verschwindenlassen der sorbischen Kirchensprache in der preußischen Lausitz zur Zeit des Wilhelminischen Kaiserreichs

This article examines the role of church patrons in the process of Germanizing the Sorbian evangelical church communities in Prussian Lusatia during the time of Wilhelmine Empire (1871–1918). Sorbian historiography as it has been developped during the GDR era claimed that Germanization occurred primarily “in the interest of the Junkers” (i.e. aristocratic landowners). However, a closer look at the sources reveals that in reality, several patrons (Junkers) championed the Sorbian language, probably motivated by their conservative core values.