Erazm Ciołek (bishop of Płock)

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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 of Polish literature, patron of artists.

[edit] Biography

Born in 1474 in a burgher family in Kraków, in 1491 he graduated from the Cracow Academy. In 1494 he became the secretary of Polish king Alexander Jagiellon, and one of his favorite courtiers. In 1502 he left on a diplomatic mission to Rome, where he received Holy 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 the patron of many artists (like Mikołaj Hussowczyk), and collected a large book collection. He was also a writer and poet himself and his Ciołek's Missal is considered to be one of the oldest relics of Polish literature. He funded many parishes and supported educational institutions (particularly monasteries), Ciołek enforced high standards of education and activity among his priesthood. He renovated the Cathedral of Płock, as well as many other churches.

Active in politics, due to intrigues by his opponets, 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.