Marcin Bielski


Marcin Bielski was a Polish soldier, historian, chronicler, renaissance satirical poet, writer and translator. His son,, royal secretary to king Sigismund III Vasa, was also a historian and poet. He was born of noble parentage on the patrimonial estate of Biała, Pajęczno County, in the Polish province of Sieradz. His alternate surname Wolski derives from his estate at Wola. One of two Polish writers of the same name, he was the first to use the Polish language, hence his designation as the father of Polish prose.

Life

Bielski was educated at the University of Kraków, founded by Casimir the Great in 1364, and spent some time with the military governor of that city. He served in the army in the wars against the Wallachians and Tatars, and participated in the Battle of Obertyn in 1531.
He was the author of several works, including:
After Bielski's death, several satirical poems by him were published: