Chancellor was born in a small town, Łask (which is situated about 35 kilometers from the city of Łódź), in the own of family
since the latter part of the XIV Century. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, it is assumed that it was in the mid March 1456. During the XV Century Łaskis’ family were gradually lowered in the social scale. Łaski’s great-grandfather was a castellan; grandfather was an inferior state official (named chorąży), whereas Łaski’s father neither held any rank nor office. Therefore that family hasn’t played special matter in political life of the country. Jan Łaski was a newcomer in the ruling elite, while he was obtaining the highest offices in the State, and in the Church. He hadn’t either celebrated family connections or any chances for protection.
After he had achieved authority of the public notary, he worked in consistory (Episcopal court of justice) in Poznań at least for 4 years (1474-1478). At that time he might have attracted notice of his future patron – Krzesław from Kurozwęki. In 1480, he already worked for Krzesław. Then, in 1484, after Kurozwęcki’s nomination for a post of Grand
Chancellor of the Crown, Łaski occurred with him on the Royal Court. From the beginning of the 90. of the XV Century Krzesław charged his young pupil with his financial tasks. Moreover, he appointed him as an executor of his last will.
Łaski begun his career in diplomacy in the age of about 35. In May 1490 he left the country for the first time. He made his diplomatic visit to Vienna, where after kings of Hungary Matthias Corvin death, he carried on negotiations with governor Stefan Zapolyia, regarding the succession to the Hungarian throne. On the turn of the 1494 he dwelled in Rome, taking care of his patron business (he was there for the second time in 1500 to celebrate the Jubilee), while at the turn 1496 he was holding a mission to Flanders. He was in Hungary for several times. Yet his most important fact of his diplomatic activity was a participation in the 4th Lateran Council (1513-1515). He also visited Mazovia, Lithuania and Prussia.
During the proceedings of Parliament which were held 20th November 1503 in Lublin, he was entrusted with the highest office of the State that he ever achieved. After Kurozwęckis’ death he was to become a Chancellor of the Crown. Jan Łaski 20 years earlier had begun his work at royal chancellery as an ordinary scribe. From that moment he was likely to rule foreign and internal policy of the State (he took charge of that policies). Although, as he was elected a new
Archbishop of Gniezno, Jan Łaski had to hand back the Great Seal to the king (7th June 1510), but his influences in politics remained vivid for many years to come. The Great Seal was taken over by former vice-chancellor Maciej Drzewicki. He was earlier skipped (in 1503) on his way of promotions.
Two periods of Jan Łaskis’ work on chancellor’s office are possible to distinguish. During the first, lasting till kings’ Aleksander death (1503-1506), he was quite independent. During the second (1507-1510) influences of new kings’ associates cramped him. At that time his position was endangered, and he was forced to act really carefully. As a result of a threat of common interests, was taking up the partnership with former enemy, vice-chancellor Maciej Drzewicki.
Archbishop Boryszewski died soon and 24th May 1510 Jan Łaski has become a new archbishop of Gniezno.
Jan Łaskis’ aim was to made his family one of the most celebrated families of the State. He set his hopes on three his brother’s Jarosław sons: Jan, Hieronim and Stanisław. These young men he took on his court to give them as best as he could education. He planned also their future: Jan was suppose to become clergyman and future archbishop of Gniezno, Hieronim was supposed to take over civil services, and finally, Stanisław was suppose to become a soldier. Since year 1517 till the last days of his life Primate spared no expenses for their education onforeign Universities. Moreover, he gathered for Jan churches’ offices and for Hieronim civil offices. He did take care of providing for Hieronim and Stanisław suitable marriages, and of creating a landed estate of Łaskis.
Moreover, archbishop tried to build his own circle of collaborators. Well-educated people with great skills made his closest circle. There were in the majority Doctors in Law, and Medicine. Lawyers were Łaskis’ trusted (confidential) or officials, entrusted with his private business, whereas physicians’ tasks were just taking care of Primates’ health. Not out of place to add that, due to Łaski’s utilitarian outlook upon life, in the midst of his associates there were no philosophers or theologians. As we know, utilitarian way of life means valuating useful things and skills. He appreciated things and skills that were useful in everyday, especially, political life.
Archbishop’s patronage was short-lived and lied in short period of time; from his return from Lateran Council and from Hungary (1516), to the year 1523. It was quite limited in scope of his activity.
Archbishop was chronic ill since year 1517. Starting the year 1519 he begun to slowly withdraw from the political life. More and more time he spend in his snug residences in Łowicz and Skierniewice. He died in Kalisz 19th May 1531.