# First bicameral General Sejm (1493)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1493-first-bicameral-general-sejm
Location: Piotrków

The first Sejm with a chamber of deputies and a senate met at Piotrków, beginning Poland's parliamentary tradition. Within the broader Jagiellonian Age period: The union with Lithuania created one of Europe's largest states. Victory over the Teutonic Order, the rise of noble democracy and a brilliant Renaissance culture marked the Jagiellonian golden age. At this point in the timeline (1493), the governing authority was John I Albert (King of Poland). His reign saw the rise of the bicameral Sejm and a failed Moldavian expedition. First bicameral General Sejm mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
First bicameral General Sejm mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [John I Albert](https://poland-history.com/rulers/john-i-albert)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejm_of_the_Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First bicameral General Sejm](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+bicameral+General+Sejm)
- [Wikipedia — Jagiellonian dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagiellonian_dynasty)