Why did the reformation not have a huge effect on Poland?

Now I am not a total history buff, but I was watching a series on the history of Scotland which was heavily affected by the Reformation of the Church. However, I don't see much evidence of it here in Poland. Is there a particular reason for this?

Sorry for the ignorance, just curious.

I'm also not a history buff but what I know is that Poland was pretty tolerant those days for other faiths, there were some protestant groups such like Bracia Polscy. If you know polish there is on wiki whole article about reformation in Poland:

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformacja_w_Polsce

I would read it and sumarize the conclusion for you if you don't know Polish but I don't have time right now. Maybe later.

Possibly cos Scotland was close to England and John Knox, the main guy in the scottish reformation had worked there. Also it might have been political, as a rejection of France.

The Ref in Germany was also largely political and that might also be a reason that Poland wasn't affected so much, as a rejection of German changes.

That said, prussia did become protestant, as the Baltic branch of the Teuton Order converted. Also, Poland was multi-faith anyway (Orthodox, catholic etc) and didn't really do much to help the counter reformation (indeed, it openly welcomed protestant settlers; Scots, dutch etc).

Dunno, good question.

Maybe they were just happy with how things were? *shrugs*

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation


...because the Germans for sure weren't.

reformation had some influence in Poland- but after war with Sweden (Potop Szwedzki) most protestants had a choice- convert to catholicism or GTFO somewhere else (for example: Bracia Polscy).

Yes, before the Swedish invasion protestants were quite numerous, including major Polish and Lithuanian noblemen, and widely tolerated.

Really we didn't really want to reject France, they were always a close ally of Scotland (infact, our Queen was, at the time, betrothed to the French Heir and living in France) and England were a common enemy. Infact the Scottish and English Churches, although both Protestant couldn't be more different!

It is interesting to see that the war with Sweden had a big effect. Interesting points everyone, thank you.

I beg to differ, half my family was protestant with German heritage and they stayed in Poland a goooooooooood time. A lot of Szlachta was protestant but it was the... What was the name of... ah yes Jesuits.. Later on Jesuits converted a lot of Poles through the university of Cracow.

The Jesuit college in Braniewo was co-founded by a Scot.

Nice to know :)

It's nothing to be proud of, really.

Of what?

(Not quoting people may create problems)

The church was as corrupt as the Pakistani cricket team...Plus there was the whole power thing church v state...

Read Dissolution by C J Sansom, it'll give you a good insight in an interesting way.

I think he means being a Scottish jesuit.

The only example. They were way too radical for anybody then.

How topical...haha.

Does this have something to do with tampering with people's balls?

So, Why did the reformation have no effect on Poland?
I have learned so far that Pakistani cricked team is corrupt - are you saying that somebody is interested that much in this crappy game to pay real dibs ? Maybe they pay in crickets?:)

Starting from Vasa kings Polish national unity was based on Catholicism and modified pro-Vatican Orthodoxy (Uniats).
As a matter of fact similar situation like in France but by far less politically successful.

In addition during so called Swedish Deluge Polish protestants (at least many of prominent protestants like Radziwils or Jan Amos Komensky) supported Swedish aggressor what had dramatical consequences for traditional tolerance in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Although there were still large numbers of Scottish and Dutch protestants travelling there after the 'potop'.

Oooohh thanks!


The tolerance in a broader aspect loosed it's meaning when the partitions started!
When in 1918 Poland was reborn, a lot of policies were mimicked from her neighbors.

"Why did the reformation not have huge effect on Poland?" Because there wasn't a King that had problems with the Church and it's power (there was a lot of religions in Poland-Lithuania) but a problem with the Szlachta! (Or Magnateria)

Yes, the idea of a CATHOLIC identity of Poland kind of became concrete during the partitions, as a kind of politicised identity became formed via literature/art etc and the actions of secular/protestant/orthodox powers against a largely catholic Polish population.

Yes I agree

Tomorrow, ill give you all lecture on the topic, now, i must go to club....cant turn down invite ;)

Indeed, the Reformation did not impact Poland that much. By nad large, Poles felt no need to get invovled with fly-by-night sects when they already possessed the One True Faith.

no, that is not right at al..




the above are the right answers.. besides the consequences of the swedish deluge the counter reformation was strong in PL and from what i read, mainly because of heavy Jesuit involvement.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Jesus
PL-Lith commonwealth is mentioned numerous times.

ON aspect may have been that the Scottish protestants often were happy to live alongside their catholic Polish neighbours.
One local wrote, "While our neighbours are great heretics, they are also great neighbours".

Where did you find it? I found it amusing I wanna know where ye got it from! ;D