Open AccessStephen Báthory’s attitude towards the University of Krakow
Author(s) -
Tomasz Graff
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
studia środkowoeuropejskie i bałkanistyczne
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2543-733X
pISSN - 2451-4993
DOI - 10.4467/2543733xssb.21.003.13796
Subject(s) - reign , elite , alma mater , university education , classics , sociology , political science , management , higher education , history , law , politics , medicine , dura mater , economics , radiology
This research paper discusses the evolution of the attitude of Stefan Bathory (1576–1586), king of Poland, towards the University of Krakow. Being aware of the university’s obsolete structures and its functioning, the king planned to create an elite royal college, in which foreign scholars, especially Italians, were to provide education. Due to the failure of his plan, Batory changed his attitude towards the University, and became its important patron and benefactor. At the same time, however, he also contributed to the establishment of the Jesuit Vilnius University (1578/1579). The author analyses the monarch’s relations with the Krakow Alma Mater over ten years of his reign, trying to explain the circumstances and motives of his conduct towards Krakow’s university elites.