Stanisław Karnkowski

Stanisław Karnkowski of Junosza (1520–1603) was the Great Referendary of the Polish Crown (since 1558), the Great Secretary of Poland (since 1563), bishop of Włocławek (1567-1580) as well as archbishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland (since 1581). He served during the Interrex in 1586–1587, before the coronation of Sigismund III Vasa.

Karnkowski chaired the Sejm commission which prepared the so-called "Karnkowski's Statutes" approved by the Parliament in 1570. He was the only bishop on the election sejm to vote for Stefan Batory, who was suspected of being a secret Protestant. He opposed attempts of reforming the way of the election made by Jan Zamoyski and proposals of raising up taxes for the army.

Stanisław Karnkowski invited Jesuits to Kalisz and Poznań and founded the buildings that had to serve as centres of the struggle against Protestants in Greater Poland. Due to these activities, he was strongly supported by the king Sigismund III Vasa, the Jesuit complex was erected (1586–1597).

Stanisław Karnkowski is one of the personas on the famous painting by Jan Matejko: the sermons of Piotr Skarga. Provided by Wikipedia