The statute of Kalisz was issued by the Polish prince Boles\u0142aw the Pious in 1264 as the first privilege for Polish Jews.\u00a0 It is a legal symbol of the friendly coexistence of Christians and followers of Judaism.\u00a0Successive rulers in Poland also followed that example.<\/b><\/p>\n
Although Boles\u0142aw the Pious was a Polish prince, he did not rule all of Poland. Initiated by the death of Boles\u0142aw Krzywousty in 1138, the division of Polish provinces among his sons was\u00a0Boleslaw\u2019s attempt to avoid fratricidal fights for the throne between his offspring.\u00a0Hence, everyone got a share to rule.<\/p>\n
Some of these provinces were again divided among the grandsons and later by their grandsons, deepening the division of the country. It was not an isolated case, as similar processes took place, for example, in the Kingdom of Bohemia and Ruthenia.<\/p>\n
One of such princes ruling his part of Poland was Boles\u0142aw the Pious, who was in power in Greater Poland and the Kalisz Land.<\/p>\n
The first privilege for Polish Jews<\/b><\/p>\n
At that time, Jews already inhabited the Polish provinces.\u00a0Boles\u0142aw the Pious as the first prince noticed the need for a legal regulation to facilitate the lives of the followers of Judaism and Christians.\u00a0 On August 16, 1264, he issued the statute of Kalisz, the first privilege for Polish Jews.<\/p>\n
The document regulates matters concerning the coexistence of the followers of Judaism and Christians, starting from Jewish relations with the authorities, to trade and credits regulations.\u00a0Jews could only be tried by the prince or his official – the voivode.\u00a0It was forbidden to accuse the followers of Judaism of killing Christians for the purpose of performing rituals.\u00a0Apparently, it was already then realized that the myths and rumors that came to Poland from Western Europe were not true.\u00a0Respecting cultural distinctiveness, the statute of Kalisz also forbade the destruction of synagogues or Jewish cemeteries.<\/p>\n
It was no exception<\/b><\/p>\n
When Poland was finally reunited into a single political organism by king W\u0142adys\u0142aw the Short in 1320, other Polish rulers like W\u0142adys\u0142aw\u2019s son, Kazimierz III the Great also confirmed the Kalisz statute and extended it within the entire kingdom in 1334. His successors followed this example and this act constituted the basis of legal regulations for the Jews in Poland.<\/p>\n
Source: polin.pl, sztetl.org.pl,<\/p>\n
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