The First General Sejm was convened on January 18, 1493, in Piotrków by King John I Albert. This event marked the beginning of Polish parliamentarism, introducing a bicameral parliamentary system consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. During the session, 33 parliamentary constitutions were enacted, which shaped the foundations of the Polish political system.

The General Sejm was one of the most important institutions of old Poland, which shaped the country's political system for centuries. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when rulers needed broader support for their political and economic decisions.

The first assemblies resembling the General Sejm were held as early as the 13th century, but 1493 is considered the official beginning of this institution. It was then that King John I Albert convened in Piotrków the first official session of the General Sejm, attended by representatives of all parliamentary estates. This historic moment initiated the era of parliamentarism in Poland, which continued uninterrupted for centuries to come.

Polish parliamentarism evolved from informal advisory assemblies to the ruler into an organized state institution. This process began during the period of feudal fragmentation and lasted until the end of the 15th century.

Ducal assemblies constituted the original form of political gatherings in medieval Poland. They were held between 1180-1250 with the participation of regional dukes, church dignitaries, and secular magnates. The assemblies made decisions regarding:

• Property matters of the Piast dynasty

• Resolution of territorial disputes

• Establishing rules for inheritance of regional thrones

• Coordination of foreign policy between regions

• Regular meetings of representatives of secular and spiritual nobility

• Discussions on tax and economic matters

• Issuing class privileges

• Providing opinions on ruler's decisions in state matters

Period	Number of documented assemblies	Main meeting places
1180-1250	47 ducal assemblies	Łęczyca, Gniezno
1250-1300	68 magnate assemblies	Kraków, Poznań
1300-1450	156 magnate assemblies	Piotrków, Korczyn

The first General Sejm was convened in Piotrków by King John I Albert in 1493. This event marked a breakthrough moment in the history of Polish parliamentarism, introducing a new form of political representation for all parliamentary estates.

The proceedings of the first General Sejm began on January 18, 1493, in Piotrków Trybunalski. King John I Albert convened this assembly in response to growing needs for state reform and the necessity to organize treasury matters. The sessions lasted until March 3, 1493, during which 33 parliamentary constitutions were enacted regulating key aspects of state functioning.

• Senate - consisting of 9 Catholic bishops, 14 voivodes, 65 castellans
• Chamber of Deputies - represented by 45 land deputies elected at local assemblies
• King John I Albert with his closest royal advisors

Parliamentary Estate	Number of Representatives
Bishops	9
Voivodes	14
Castellans	65
Land Deputies	45

The first General Sejm of 1493 introduced a bicameral parliament structure, which became the foundation of the Polish parliamentary system. The Sejm's organization was based on two main chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The Chamber of Deputies represented the nobility from various lands of the Kingdom of Poland. 45 land deputies, elected at local assemblies (sejmiks), represented the interests of their regions during the proceedings in Piotrków. Deputies held a parliamentary mandate granted by the sejmiks, obligating them to follow electoral instructions. This system ensured representation for all lands of the Kingdom in state decision-making.

The Senate consisted of 88 senators holding the highest state and church offices:

• 9 Catholic bishops overseeing church affairs
• 14 voivodes representing territorial administration
• 65 castellans responsible for managing administrative districts

Senators served as the royal council, advising the monarch on key state matters. Their position stemmed from their held offices and experience in governance.

During the first General Sejm, 33 parliamentary constitutions were enacted, introducing fundamental changes in the functioning of the Polish state. These provisions encompassed a wide range of systemic reforms and tax decisions.

The 1493 Sejm introduced the principle of regular parliamentary sessions, establishing a bicameral system of proceedings. The Chamber of Deputies received legislative competencies in matters of taxes, customs, and other economic affairs. Permanent parliamentary committees were established to handle:

• Treasury matters (control of royal revenues)
• Military affairs (organization of national defense)
• Judicial matters (reform of the judiciary)

The Sejm established a new tax system based on the following principles:

Type of Tax	Amount	Subject of Taxation
Łanowe	12 grosze	Peasant lands
Szos	2 grosze	Urban properties
Czopowe	10% of value	Beer and mead production

• Annual tax settlements before local assemblies (sejmiks)
• Financial reporting by tax collectors
• Allocation of part of the revenue for military maintenance

The First General Sejm of 1493 shaped the foundations of Polish parliamentarism for centuries to come. This event initiated a new era in the development of Polish statehood through the introduction of systematic constitutional solutions.

The General Sejm introduced three key changes to the political system of the Kingdom of Poland:

• Establishment of regular parliamentary sessions at fixed dates
• Introduction of territorial representation through the system of local assemblies
• Formalization of the legislative process involving three parliamentary estates: the king, senate, and chamber of deputies

The bicameral system created a mechanism balancing power between the monarch and noble representatives. The Chamber of Deputies received competencies in:

• Voting on taxes
• Control of the state treasury
• Approving royal decisions on matters of war and peace
• Establishing common law

Polish parliamentarism introduced innovative legal and constitutional solutions:

• Representative system based on deputy mandate

• Principle of decision-making through voting

• Procedure for enacting parliamentary constitutions

• Model of bicameral parliament

• Political culture in Central Europe

• Principles of noble democracy

• System of checks and balances between royal and representative power

• Parliamentary traditions in Poland

Legacy Element	Impact on Modern Times
Bicameral System	Model of modern parliament
Deputy Mandate	Foundation of modern representation
Parliamentary Constitutions	Template for legal acts
Voting Procedures	Fundamentals of parliamentary democracy

• The first official general Sejm was convened in 1493 by King John I Albert in Piotrków Trybunalski
• Before the official general Sejm, there were princely councils (1180-1250) and assemblies of nobles, which formed the basis for the development of Polish parliamentarism
• The general Sejm of 1493 introduced a bicameral parliament structure - the Chamber of Deputies (45 deputies) and the Senate (88 senators)
• During the first general Sejm, 33 parliamentary constitutions were enacted, introducing fundamental systemic and tax reforms
• This event marked the beginning of a new era in the development of Polish statehood and created the foundations for a parliamentary system that would function for centuries to come

The first general Sejm in 1493 was a turning point in the history of Polish parliamentarism. Its convening by John I Albert in Piotrków laid the groundwork for a modern parliamentary system that would function for centuries to come.

The introduction of a bicameral parliamentary system consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, along with the enactment of 33 parliamentary constitutions, shaped the foundations of Polish noble democracy. This model of governance became an inspiration for other European countries.

Polish parliamentarism was ahead of its time, introducing innovative constitutional solutions such as the representative system, parliamentary mandate, and voting procedures. These mechanisms continue to form the basis of modern democratic systems today.