Nawojka was the first Polish female student. She became one in the 15th century, at a time when access to higher education was reserved exclusively for men. So how did she manage to get into the Kraków Academy? Was an exception made for her? Or quite the opposite?
Intelligent and Ambitious Nawojka
Nothing certain is known about Nawojka’s childhood and youth. The prevailing opinion is that she was either the daughter of the rector of the Gniezno parish school or the daughter of the mayor of Dobrzyń on the Vistula.
From an early age, Nawojka had an extraordinary thirst for knowledge. She quickly learned to write and read in Latin and Polish. Interestingly, she received her education at the family home, which shows that her parents wanted to provide her with at least a basic education, which in those times was already a distinction.
But for the ambitious Nawojka, this was decidedly not enough. She dreamed of something more and was determined to achieve it sooner or later.
Exposed Deception
Eventually, Nawojka came up with the idea of joining the ranks of the Kraków Academy. The only problem was that at that time women could not study at this first Polish university. However, Nawojka circumvented this difficulty by passing herself off as a man. In university documents, she appeared as Jakub or, according to another version, Andrzej.
To prevent her plan from being exposed, Nawojka behaved and dressed like a man. Remarkably, no one unmasked this deception for quite some time. Only in 1417, after three years of studies, was the fraud discovered, which caused a great stir not only within the Kraków University community itself but also throughout Poland.
However, it is difficult to definitively determine how the truth was discovered. Several contradictory theories on this subject exist in available sources.
According to one view, Nawojka’s true sex was identified during Wet Monday while students were splashing each other with water. Another version, however, claims that the woman was caught after a medical examination she had to undergo because of her illness.
Acquitted Nawojka
Nawojka’s deception did not go unpunished. She was brought before the court of the Academy’s rector, which was to examine the entire matter. Some claim that Nawojka even faced drowning in the river, but as a result of Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki’s intervention, such a radical measure was not imposed.
Nawojka’s trial was conducted meticulously. All persons who had any contact with her were examined, including the teaching staff. Remarkably, literally no one was found who would say anything bad about the accused.
All of this ultimately decided that Nawojka was set free. At the same time, she was forbidden from crossing the walls of the Kraków university.
Shortly thereafter, Nawojka voluntarily entered a convent, where she could now devote herself to learning without restrictions. First, she ran the novitiate school, and then became the abbess of the monastery.
