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Stanisław Karnkowski

1520 – 1603

Roman Catholic archbishop

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About Stanisław Karnkowski

Lived 1520 – 1603 (aged 83). Stanisław Karnkowski was a Polish catholic priest and catholic bishop.

Stanisław Karnkowski of Junosza (1520–1603) was the Great Referendary of the Polish Crown (since 1558), the Great Secretary of Poland (since 1563), bishop of Włocławek (1567-1580) as well as archbishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland (since 1581). He served during the Interrex in 1586–1587, before the coronation of Sigismund III Vasa.

Karnkowski chaired the Sejm commission which prepared the so-called "Karnkowski's Statutes" approved by the Parliament in 1570. He was the only bishop on the election sejm to vote for Stefan Batory, who was suspected of being a secret Protestant. He opposed attempts of reforming the way of the election made by Jan Zamoyski and proposals of raising up taxes for the army.

Stanisław Karnkowski invited Jesuits to Kalisz and Poznań and founded the buildings that had to serve as centres of the struggle against Protestants in Greater Poland. Due to these activities, he was strongly supported by the king Sigismund III Vasa, the Jesuit complex was erected (1586–1597).

Stanisław Karnkowski is one of the personas on the famous painting by Jan Matejko: the Sermon of Piotr Skarga.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Jagiellonian University, University of Padua, University of Wittenberg
Positions held
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Gniezno, Interrex, Grand Secretary of the Crown, King's secretary at the Polish court

People in Stanisław Karnkowski's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Stanisław Karnkowski's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Stanisław Karnkowski?

Roman Catholic archbishop

When was Stanisław Karnkowski born?

Stanisław Karnkowski was born on 10 May 1520 in Karnkowo, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.

When did Stanisław Karnkowski die?

Stanisław Karnkowski died on 8 June 1603 in Łowicz.

What was Stanisław Karnkowski's occupation?

Stanisław Karnkowski was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.

What nationality was Stanisław Karnkowski?

Stanisław Karnkowski was Polish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Stanisław Karnkowski

· Wikidata: Q456315

· DBpedia: Stanisław Karnkowski

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Stanisław Karnkowski. https://biography.guide/stanislaw-karnkowski/

MLA: "Stanisław Karnkowski." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/stanislaw-karnkowski/.

Chicago: "Stanisław Karnkowski." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/stanislaw-karnkowski/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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