Marcin Bielski

Marcin Bielski

Marcin Bielski is the author of two outstanding works from that time: “The Chronicle of the World” and “The Polish Chronicle”. The former was published three times during the author’s lifetime (in 1551, 1554, and 1564). The second was first published in 1597 by Bielski’s son, Joachim, who edited and significantly supplemented his father’s Chronicle. He is presumably the author of an important reference: “There is another island nearby called Khortytsia, where Vyshnevetskyi had previously lived. The island was a great obstacle to the Tatars, who did not dare rush to us so often because of it.”

Bielski’s Chronicles contain information about the early period of the Cossacks. In describing the military campaign of Prince Jan Olbrecht against the Tatars in Eastern Podolia in 1489, Bielski emphasizes that the operation’s success was due to the local Cossacks guiding the Polish army. The author notes the rapid growth of the Cossack community and the Polish government’s repression of them under the reign of Stefan Batory. Bielski also discusses the Cossacks’ struggle against Turkish-Tatar aggression.

Bielski’s “Chronicles” have become an important source for Polish and Ukrainian historians.

Illustrations:

1. Marcin Bielski

2. “Chronicle of the World”

3. “Chronicle of Poland”

The material was prepared by Iryna Zhakova, a researcher in the Scientific and Excursion Department.