Zbigniew Oleśnicki (cardinal)


Zbigniew Oleśnicki
Cardinal Archbishop of Kraków
Oleśnicki painted by Jan Bąkowski, 1900.
Installed1423
Term ended1455
PredecessorWojciech Jastrzębiec
SuccessorTomasz Strzępiński
Other post(s)Statesman and diplomat
Personal details
Born(1389-12-05)5 December 1389
Died1 April 1455(1455-04-01) (aged 65)
Sandomierz, Kingdom of Poland
BuriedWawel Cathedral
NationalityPolish
DenominationRoman Catholic
Coat of arms

Zbigniew Oleśnicki (Polish: [ˈzbiɡɲɛf ɔlɛɕˈɲit͡skʲi]; 5 December 1389 1 April 1455), known in Latin as Sbigneus, was a high-ranking Roman Catholic clergyman and an influential Polish statesman and diplomat. He served as Bishop of Kraków from 1423 until his death in 1455. He took part in the management of the country's most important affairs, initially as a royal secretary under King Władysław II Jagiełło and later as the effective regent during King Władysław III's minority. In 1439 he became the first native Polish cardinal.