- Erazm Ciołek (bishop of Płock)
Erazm Ciołek (1474 – 1522) was a Polish diplomat and writer.
Bishop of Płock from 1504. Author of "Ciołek's Missal ," one of the oldest relics ofPolish literature , patron of artists.Biography
Born in 1474 in a burgher family in Kraków, in 1491 he graduated from the
Cracow Academy . In 1494 he became the secretary ofPolish king Alexander Jagiellon , and one of his favorite courtiers. In 1502 he left on adiplomatic mission toRome , where he receivedHoly Orders .In 1503, with support of the king, he became the
bishop of Płock , where he became known as a good administrator, protector of peasants. He became thepatron of many artists (likeMikołaj Hussowczyk ), and collected a large book collection. He was also a writer and poet himself and hisCiołek's Missal is considered to be one of the oldest relics ofPolish literature . He funded manyparish es and supported educational institutions (particularly monasteries), Ciołek enforced high standards of education and activity among his priesthood. He renovated theCathedral of Płock , as well as many other churches.Active in politics, due to intrigues by his opponents, he lost the favor of king
Sigismund I the Old , and did not succeed in his goal of becoming a cardinal. He died in Rome in 1522.References
*pl icon [http://www.dziedzictwo.ekai.pl/text.show?id=4601 bp Erazm Ciołek]
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