History of the European Bison in Outline

If I was asked about editorial advice,

I would change the order of the books
in this publication about the 16th century Poland...1
It would be necessary to start by description
of the political system in the First Republic of Nobles,
and only then present the data about geography,
population or customs, such as the hunt for powerful bison.

The diplomat and royal secretary, Marcin Kromer,

published this book in 1577 in Cologne in Latin
as a guide for next elective king from abroad -
who was a leading, but in fact a representative official
in this gentry democracy, inspired
by the political systems of Sparta and the Republic of Venice.

... Kromer presents, among others,

data on the commercial exchange of this vast country,
located between two European seas.
The exports are mainly: four types of cereals, flax, hops, ox skins,
animal suet, leather goods, honey, wax, amber,
tar, ash, wood for building ships and houses, beer and plants
for dyeing wool and silk. In addition, there are oxen, goats
and – horses, most valued abroad.

The imports, on the other hand, are:

precious, usable and decorative fabrics,
pearls, expensive stones, elegant and rare furs,
dried sea fish (beluga, herring), copper, brass and steel,
oxen and horses from the southern neighbors, as well
Rhine, French, Spanish, Canary and Cretan wines
imported on ships. From the Far East and from the West,
perfumes, delicacies and spices were being delivered.

These data reveal consumable face of a prosperous republic,

benefiting from the natural wealth of the country
and having propaganda ambitions.
It is enough to edit this book professionally.

MMXVIII

1 Polonia sive de situ, populis, moribus, magistratibus et Republica regni Polonici libri duo (Poland or
About the Geography, Population, Customs, Offices, and Public Matters of the Polish Kingdom in Two
Volumes) - a work by Marcin Kromer (1512-1589) summing up all knowledge about Poland of the sixteenth
century - geographical, ethnic, cultural, social, economic and constitutional data