Society of Motherland Friends
Encyclopedia
Society of Motherland Friends (pol. Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Ojczyzny) was a secret society of patriotic youth created in Warsaw
under the Prussian partition
in 1803 by son of starosta
(pol. starościc) of Opinogóra
Wincenty Krasiński
with a help of young aristocrats: Józef Krasiński, Ludwik Pac, Stanisław Małachowski, Henryk Łubieński, Piotr Łubieński and Tomasz Łubieński
, and under the protection of the Marshal Stanisław Małachowski, in whose chateau by the Krakowskie Przedmieście
street (today Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
) they held their first meetings. The spiritual patron of the organization (according to Krasiński’s suggestion) was Tadeusz Kościuszko
.
The Society members prepared its program, and oath of allegiance. As the organization’s dress, they used black frock coat
s with black-painted brass buttons ornamented with emblem of anchor and single-world slogan: "hope" (pol. nadzieja). Their idea was, that along with paint erasing the emblem and slogan should be more and more visible, what had to symbolize the return of the independence. However after some time the Society changed into social coterie of an amusement character.
From the very beginning patriotic activity of the Society was endangered by the stiff competition with "Blacha", as people of Warsaw called roistering youths grouped around Copper-Roof Palace (quarters of prince Józef Poniatowski), who wore green frock coats with "Jabłonna" inscription on their collars. Both coteries competed with each other in splendour of banquets, night drinking-boats, and instant duels, toward which activities Prussian invaders turned a blind eye, glad to see progressive demoralization of Polish noble youth. However, as political situation in Europe has been changed, Prussian administration changed its view of Polish organizations and societies suspecting that they were sources of pro-French activity. In the beginning of 1806 Prussian governor Köhler ordered Krasiński to dissolve the Society.
After one year its members became a nucleus of so called "Polish Honour Guard" of Napoleon, and next the cadre of the Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard
.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
under the Prussian partition
Prussian partition
The Prussian partition refers to the former territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth acquired during the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century by the Kingdom of Prussia.-History:...
in 1803 by son of starosta
Starosta
Starost is a title for an official or unofficial position of leadership that has been used in various contexts through most of Slavic history. It can be translated as "elder"...
(pol. starościc) of Opinogóra
Opinogóra Górna
Opinogóra Górna is a village in Ciechanów County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Opinogóra Górna. It lies approximately north-east of Ciechanów and north of Warsaw....
Wincenty Krasiński
Wincenty Krasinski
Count Wincenty Krasiński was a Polish nobleman , political activist and military leader.He was the father of Zygmunt Krasiński, one of Poland's Three Bards—Poland's greatest romantic poets.-Life:...
with a help of young aristocrats: Józef Krasiński, Ludwik Pac, Stanisław Małachowski, Henryk Łubieński, Piotr Łubieński and Tomasz Łubieński
Tomasz Łubieński
Tomasz Łubieński, comte de Pomian was a brigadier general in the Polish army, senator, landowner in Kalisz and businessman. Hoping to liberate Poland, he fought on the French side in the Napoleonic Wars, fighting at Essling, , , , , and , for which Napoleon made him a baron de l'Empire...
, and under the protection of the Marshal Stanisław Małachowski, in whose chateau by the Krakowskie Przedmieście
Krakowskie Przedmiescie
Krakowskie Przedmieście is one of the most impressive and prestigious streets of Poland's capital.Several other Polish cities also have streets named Krakowskie Przedmieście. In Lublin, it is the main and most elegant street...
street (today Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw is a public university of visual and applied arts located in the Polish capital. The Academy traces its history back to the Department of Arts founded at the Warsaw University in 1812. As a separate institution it was founded in 1844 during the Partitions of Poland...
) they held their first meetings. The spiritual patron of the organization (according to Krasiński’s suggestion) was Tadeusz Kościuszko
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
.
The Society members prepared its program, and oath of allegiance. As the organization’s dress, they used black frock coat
Frock coat
A frock coat is a man's coat characterised by knee-length skirts all around the base, popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. The double-breasted style is sometimes called a Prince Albert . The frock coat is a fitted, long-sleeved coat with a centre vent at the back, and some features...
s with black-painted brass buttons ornamented with emblem of anchor and single-world slogan: "hope" (pol. nadzieja). Their idea was, that along with paint erasing the emblem and slogan should be more and more visible, what had to symbolize the return of the independence. However after some time the Society changed into social coterie of an amusement character.
From the very beginning patriotic activity of the Society was endangered by the stiff competition with "Blacha", as people of Warsaw called roistering youths grouped around Copper-Roof Palace (quarters of prince Józef Poniatowski), who wore green frock coats with "Jabłonna" inscription on their collars. Both coteries competed with each other in splendour of banquets, night drinking-boats, and instant duels, toward which activities Prussian invaders turned a blind eye, glad to see progressive demoralization of Polish noble youth. However, as political situation in Europe has been changed, Prussian administration changed its view of Polish organizations and societies suspecting that they were sources of pro-French activity. In the beginning of 1806 Prussian governor Köhler ordered Krasiński to dissolve the Society.
After one year its members became a nucleus of so called "Polish Honour Guard" of Napoleon, and next the cadre of the Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard
Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard
The [Polish] 1st Light Cavalry Lancer Regiment of the Imperial Guard was a formation of Polish light cavalry that served Emperor Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars.The Regiment, as part of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, fought in many battles,...
.