# Crown Tribunal established (1578)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1578-crown-tribunal-established
Location: Piotrków

The king handed supreme appellate jurisdiction for nobles to the elected Crown Tribunal. 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 (1578), the governing authority was Stephen Báthory (King of Poland), together with Stephen Báthory (King of Poland). Prince of Transylvania who reformed the army, founded Vilnius University and defeated Muscovy in the Livonian War. Crown Tribunal established 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
Crown Tribunal established mattered because it defined rights and institutions that shaped Polish government and society.

Ruler at the time: [Stephen Báthory](https://poland-history.com/rulers/stephen-bathory)

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