THE INFLUENCE OF THE CLERGY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION AMONG RURAL FAMILIES OF THE PŁOCK DIOCESE IN THE YEARS 1726-1893

Aim: the purpose of this article is to present the issue of assistance provided by the clergy in the aspect of introducing and maintaining education and effective upbringing among families, especially rural ones, often living even in extreme financial conditions in the Płock diocese in the Płock and Dobrzyń deaneries in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This state of affairs was caused by constant wars and marches of foreign troops throughout the country. At that time, Poland did not exist as a state but was under partition. Methods: this article uses the historical method and reconstruction of facts. Resources from the Diocesan Archives in Płock were used, as well as material from archival extracts regarding the issue of elementary education contained in the protocols of general and deanery visits. Results: using archival resources, this study managed to present not only the educational situation in the years 1726-1893 in the Płock diocese in the Płock and Dobrzyń deaneries, but above all, the importance of the help the clergy provided, especially to rural families, which did not exist at that time afford to pay for their children's education. Conclusion: the assistance provided in matters of education over the centuries, especially in the 18th and early 19th centuries by the clergy, until the emergence of the National Education Commission, laid stable foundations on which education began to develop, now available to all states. Originality: this study is the first material in Poland that presents the problem of help provided by the clergy in the field of education and upbringing of children, especially from rural families in the Płock diocese, in the Płock and Dobrzyń deaneries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Keywords: clergy, Church, education, parish, Płock diocese, families, upbringing, parish schools, National Education Commission.