Royal elections in Poland

Royal elections in Poland (Polish: wolna elekcja, lit. 'free election') were the election of individual monarchs, rather than dynasties, to the Polish throne. Based on legendary traditions dating to the beginning of the Polish statehood, they became the official procedure in choosing a monarch, following the death of the last hereditary monarch, Queen Jadwiga Anjou, in 1399. The electoral system was in use throughout the entire Jagiellonian dynasty and reached its final form in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period between 1572 and 1791.

The royal election system was briefly abolished by the Constitution of 3 May 1791 (which established a constitutional-parliamentary hereditary monarchy) before being revoked in 1793.

Evolution

The tradition of electing the country's ruler, which occurred either when there was no clear heir to the throne, or to confirm an heir's appointment, dates to the beginning of Polish statehood. Legends survive of the 9th century "election" of the traditional founder of the first Polish royal family, Piast the Wheelwright of the Piast dynasty, and the subsequent choosing of his son, Siemowit, although such elections may have been little more than a formality. The election privilege, exercised during the gatherings known as wiec, was usually limited to the most powerful nobles, (magnates) and officials, and was heavily influenced by local traditions and strength of the ruler.

Traditions diverged in different regions of the country during the period of the fragmentation of Poland. In the Duchy of Masovia, the hereditary principle dominated, but in the Seniorate Province, elections became increasingly important. In other provinces both systems were used.