Kancelaria królewska Andegawenów i Jagiellonów jako środowisko awansu na drodze do arcybiskupstwa gnieźnieńskiego

The Polish Royal Chancellery of the Angevins and Jagiellos (1370-1572), as the central institution of the King's executive power, was the basic circle in which to enter on one's State and Church career that lead, based on a loyal service to the ruler, to high State offices and Church dignities. The monarch, who, starting from the end of the 14th century, had an ever-greater influence on nominations to the bishop's position, in the sixties of the 15th century finally gained advantage over other factors competing for this capacity. His creative role in forming the composition of the Episcopate also included the highest position in the Polish Church – the Metropolitan See in Gniezno where from 1418 the Primates of Poland resided. The Gniezno Archbishop who was only second to the Monarch as far as prestige, wealth and territorial range of his power were concerned, belonged to the close elite of power in Poland at the close of the Middle Ages and at the threshold of the modern times. In the years 1374-1562 the Gniezno Archbishopric was governed by 22 dignitaries of which 18 had worked in the Crown Chancellery at one stage of their career. The later archbishops may be found at all the grades of the Chancellery career. The average time of work in the Chancellery for this group was nearly 17 years. The executive posts (those of Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor) were held by 10 people altogether, that is 55% of the Archbishops who had Chancellery experience. The average length of time of staying at such a post was a little over 9 years. The post of the Secretary was the most often held office: 12 people had held it. At least one third of the latter ones were next promoted to the office of the Great Secretary which was the third most important in the Chancellery hierarchy. The average age at which the Chancellery career was begun was 29, and the average age of promotion to the post of the Chancellor – 38. The average age of appointment to the position of Archbishop was 53 and it is not significantly different from the age of those people who had not had any Chancellery experience. The factor that accelerated promotions was education, especially studies in law crowned with obtaining a degree, accompanied by a magnate family background.