Marcin Bielski

Marcin Bielski (or Wolski; 1495 – 18 December 1575) was a Polish soldier, historian, chronicler, renaissance satirical poet, writer and translator.

His son, Joachim Bielski [pl], royal secretary to king Sigismund III Vasa, was also a historian and poet.

He was born of noble parentage on the patrimonial estate of Biała (whence the family name), Pajęczno County, in the Polish province of Sieradz.

Bielski was educated at the University of Kraków, founded by Casimir the Great in 1364, and spent some time with the military governor of that city.

He served in the army in the wars against the Wallachians and Tatars, and participated in the Battle of Obertyn (Galicia) in 1531.