Born to the Polish nobility, son of Belislaus and Bogna, and raised in a pious family. Educated at Gnesen, Poland, and may have studied at Paris, France. When his parents died, Stanislaus distributed his inheritance to the poor. Parish priest at Czembocz, Poland. Canon and preacher, and later vicar-general at the Cracow cathedral; noted spiritual director. Reluctant bishop of Cracow in 1072. Known for his preaching against sinful living, regardless of the sinner’s class. Killed by King Boleslaus the Cruel after Stanislaus excommunicated him due to his war crimes and attempted theft of land from the Church. Murdered while celebrating Mass. Reaction against Boleslaus was so great that he fled the country, never to return; his guilt led him to become a monk. Stanislaus became a symbol of Polish patriotism and nationalism, and is sometimes considered a martyr.