Kasper Niesiecki
Encyclopedia
Kasper Niesiecki was a Polish
heraldist, Jesuit, lexicographer, writer, theologian and preacher.
Niesiecki was born in Greater Poland
to a burgher family. In 1699 he began training as a Jesuit in Kraków
. From 1701 to 1704 he studied philosophy in Lublin
, earning a master's degree. In 1707 Niesiecki started his studies in theology at the Jagiellonian University
, graduating in 1711. He undertook further study in Lutsk
, Krosno
, Bydgoszcz, Chojnice
and Kalisz
.
Between 1715 and 1723 Niesiecki worked as a preacher in Masovia, Greater Poland, Lesser Poland
and Ruthenia
. He taught rhetoric in Bydgoszcz and Chojnice, and ethics and mathematics in Kalisz. From 1724 he lived in the monastery of Krasnystaw
, where he engaged in his life's work, compiling the Herbarz Polski (Polish Armorial). Niesiecki died there on 9 July 1744.
The first volume of Herbarz Polski was published in 1728 in Lwów. Niesiecki wanted to write it in Latin, but his patron, Marianna from Potocki
-Tarłowa, specified that it to be published in Polish
. Because Niesiecki tried to not use unverified sources and legends, he was rubbished by the szlachta
(Polish nobility). He continued with the work, however there were delays in printing the next volumes. After fourth volume was published attacks by the nobles increased; they sent letters of protest to his Polish and Roman superiors. Work on the fifth volume was interrupted by his death; it was completed by Stanisław Czapliński, but never published.
In 19th century the armorial was expanded by several authors and published by Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz
in Leipzig
.
In opinion of historians the work of Niesiecki obey the world standards of genealogy.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
heraldist, Jesuit, lexicographer, writer, theologian and preacher.
Biography
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
to a burgher family. In 1699 he began training as a Jesuit in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. From 1701 to 1704 he studied philosophy in Lublin
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
, earning a master's degree. In 1707 Niesiecki started his studies in theology at the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
, graduating in 1711. He undertook further study in Lutsk
Lutsk
Lutsk is a city located by the Styr River in northwestern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Volyn Oblast and the administrative center of the surrounding Lutskyi Raion within the oblast...
, Krosno
Krosno
Krosno is a town and county in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland with 47,455 inhabitants, as of 2 June 2009.Notably Krosno is the site of the first oil well in the world....
, Bydgoszcz, Chojnice
Chojnice
Chojnice is a town in northern Poland with 39 670 inhabitants , near famous Tuchola Forest, Lake Charzykowskie and many other water reservoirs. It is the capital of the Chojnice County....
and Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
.
Between 1715 and 1723 Niesiecki worked as a preacher in Masovia, Greater Poland, Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland
Lesser Poland is one of the historical regions of Poland, with its capital in the city of Kraków. It forms the southeastern corner of the country, and should not be confused with the modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, which covers only a small, southern part of Lesser Poland...
and Ruthenia
Ruthenia
Ruthenia is the Latin word used onwards from the 13th century, describing lands of the Ancient Rus in European manuscripts. Its geographic and culturo-ethnic name at that time was applied to the parts of Eastern Europe. Essentially, the word is a false Latin rendering of the ancient place name Rus...
. He taught rhetoric in Bydgoszcz and Chojnice, and ethics and mathematics in Kalisz. From 1724 he lived in the monastery of Krasnystaw
Krasnystaw
Krasnystaw is a town in eastern Poland with 19,615 inhabitants . Situated in the Lublin Voivodeship , previously in Chelm Voivodeship . It is the capital of Krasnystaw County....
, where he engaged in his life's work, compiling the Herbarz Polski (Polish Armorial). Niesiecki died there on 9 July 1744.
The first volume of Herbarz Polski was published in 1728 in Lwów. Niesiecki wanted to write it in Latin, but his patron, Marianna from Potocki
Potocki
Potocki is the surname of a Polish noble family.-History:The Potocki family is a great artistocratic family originated from Potok in the Kraków Voivodeship; their family name derives from that place name. The family is heavily entwined with the cultural development and history of Poland's Eastern...
-Tarłowa, specified that it to be published in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
. Because Niesiecki tried to not use unverified sources and legends, he was rubbished by the szlachta
Szlachta
The szlachta was a legally privileged noble class with origins in the Kingdom of Poland. It gained considerable institutional privileges during the 1333-1370 reign of Casimir the Great. In 1413, following a series of tentative personal unions between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of...
(Polish nobility). He continued with the work, however there were delays in printing the next volumes. After fourth volume was published attacks by the nobles increased; they sent letters of protest to his Polish and Roman superiors. Work on the fifth volume was interrupted by his death; it was completed by Stanisław Czapliński, but never published.
In 19th century the armorial was expanded by several authors and published by Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz
Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz
Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz was a Polish music editor and publisher, composer and virtuoso guitarist.He has been called "the Chopin of guitar". Most of his guitar pieces are in the form of themes and variations....
in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
.
In opinion of historians the work of Niesiecki obey the world standards of genealogy.
"Polish Armorial" in Internet
- Herbarz Polski (Polish Armorial) full title: "Korona Polska przy złotey wolnosci starożytnemi Rycerstwa Polskiego y Wielkiego Xięstwa Litewskiego kleynotami naywyższymi Honorami Heroicznym, Męstwem y odwagą, Wytworną Nauką a naypierwey Cnotą, nauką Pobożnością, y Swiątobliwością ozdobiona Potomnym zaś wiekom na zaszczyt y nieśmiertelną sławę Pamiętnych w tey Oyczyźnie Synow podana TOM ... Przez X. Kaspra Niesieckego Societatis Jesu", LvivLvivLviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
, 1738. - edition expanded by other authors: Herbarz Polski... vol. 4-10, published by Jan Nepomucen BobrowiczJan Nepomucen BobrowiczJan Nepomucen Bobrowicz was a Polish music editor and publisher, composer and virtuoso guitarist.He has been called "the Chopin of guitar". Most of his guitar pieces are in the form of themes and variations....
, LeipzigLeipzigLeipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, 1841 - Herbarz Polski... - some volumes