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Mikołaj Mielecki

1540 – Kraków, 11 May 1585

11 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born1540not verified1 source
  • TitlePolish electoror castellan of Wojnicz, 1567 · Voivode of Podolia, 1569–1585 · Great Hetman of the Crown, 1579–1580 · king's secretary at the Polish courtnot verified1 source
  • Titleking's secretary at the Polish courtor castellan of Wojnicz, 1567 · Voivode of Podolia, 1569–1585 · Great Hetman of the Crown, 1579–1580 · Polish electornot verified1 source
  • Titlecastellan of Wojnicz, 1567or Voivode of Podolia, 1569–1585 · Great Hetman of the Crown, 1579–1580 · Polish elector · king's secretary at the Polish courtnot verified1 source
  • TitleVoivode of Podolia, 1569–1585or castellan of Wojnicz, 1567 · Great Hetman of the Crown, 1579–1580 · Polish elector · king's secretary at the Polish courtnot verified1 source
  • TitleGreat Hetman of the Crown, 1579–1580or castellan of Wojnicz, 1567 · Voivode of Podolia, 1569–1585 · Polish elector · king's secretary at the Polish courtnot verified1 source
  • Died11 May 1585, Krakównot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1540

    Born

  2. 1567

    Castellan of Wojnicz

  3. 1569–1585

    Voivode of Podolia

  4. 1579–1580

    Great Hetman of the Crown

  5. 11 May 1585

    Dies in Kraków

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1540s · Mikołaj is born

In the news1543

Cracow plague of 1543

A plague in Cracow, following a 1540 drought, killed at least 10,000 people between July and November 1543.

At the table

Rye bread as daily staple

Rye was the primary cereal used for bread, which served as the essential daily food for the majority of the population.

What people wore

Popularity of slitted clothing

Slitting sleeves and clothes to reveal contrasting linings or shirts underneath became a very popular trend in the early 16th century. This style was adopted by various social classes as a touch of flirtation and intimacy.

Getting around

Importance of River Transport

Because land roads were often muddy and difficult, river transport using various vessels was essential for long-distance travel and the movement of heavy goods across the Commonwealth.

What it cost

Purchasing power of a gold florin

A single gold florin could buy 100 liters of beer, 40 chickens, or even 6 hares, demonstrating the wide variety of goods available for a single high-value coin.

Music

A cross-European dance hit

A dance title recorded in 1540, Zakłułam się cierniem (I pricked myself with a thorn), was so popular it appeared in musical tablatures across Western Europe.

Daily life

Early schooling focused on Latin and arithmetic

Rural schooling became nearly universal by the early 16th century, though attendance was low, focusing on Latin prayers and basic arithmetic skills.