# Warsaw Confederation (1573)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1573-warsaw-confederation
Location: Warsaw
Categories: main-event

The nobility guaranteed religious peace among Christians of all denominations, one of the earliest acts of religious tolerance in Europe. Within the broader Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period: The Commonwealth of Both Nations elected its kings and prized noble liberty and religious tolerance. It won famous victories but was weakened by wars with Sweden, Russia, the Ottomans and the Cossacks, and by political paralysis. At this point in the timeline (28 January 1573), the governing authority was Interrex (interregnum) (Primate of Poland as interrex). During interregna the Primate of Poland acted as interrex, convening the convocation and election Sejms. Warsaw Confederation mattered because it defined rights and institutions that shaped Polish government and society. 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
Warsaw Confederation mattered because it defined rights and institutions that shaped Polish government and society.

Ruler at the time: [Henry of Valois](https://poland-history.com/rulers/henry-of-valois)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Warsaw Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Confederation)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Warsaw Confederation](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Warsaw+Confederation)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)