Editing Częstochowa (section)

===Early modern period===
Częstochowa prospered in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, due to efforts of [[Sigismund I the Old]], the future king of [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. At that time, Sigismund ruled the [[Duchy of Głogów]], and frequently visited Częstochowa on his way to the [[Duchies of Silesia]] (1498, 1502, 1502, 1503, 1505, 1505, 1506). In 1504, Częstochowa was granted the right to collect tolls on the [[Warta]] river bridge. In 1508, Częstochowa was allowed to organise one [[fair]] a year; in 1564, the number of fairs was increased to three annually, and in 1639 to six. In the year 1631, Częstochowa had 399 houses, but at the same time, several residents died in a [[Epidemic|plague]], after which 78 houses were abandoned.<ref name="Official" />

In the first half of the 17th century, kings of the [[House of Vasa]] turned the [[Jasna Góra Monastery]] into a modern Dutch-style fortress. During the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish invasion of Poland]] in 1655, the monastery was one of the pockets of Polish resistance against the Swedish armies (for more information, see [[Siege of Jasna Góra]]). The town of Częstochowa was almost completely destroyed by Swedish soldiers. It has been estimated that the town lost 50% of the population, and 60% of houses. But the town suffered less severe destruction than nearby towns like [[Przyrów]], [[Olsztyn, Silesian Voivodeship|Olsztyn]] and [[Mstów, Silesian Voivodeship|Mstów]]. It took several years for Częstochowa to recover from these extensive losses. As late as in the 1680s there still were ruined houses in the town.

At the same time, the Jasna Góra Monastery prospered. On 27 February 1670 the wedding of King [[Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki]] to Princess [[Eleonore of Austria, Queen of Poland|Eleonore of Austria]] took place here. In 1682 the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the [[Black Madonna of Częstochowa]] brought thousands of pilgrims from both [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] and [[Silesia]]. The Jewish community in Częstochowa developed by about 1700.<ref name="Official" />

[[File:ChelmonskiJozef.1875.KazimierzPulaskiPodCzestochowa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kazimierz Pulaski]] and the [[Bar Confederation]] 1772 defence of Częstochowa. Painting by [[Józef Chełmoński|Chełmoński]].]]

During the [[Great Northern War]], Częstochowa was captured by the Swedish army on 11 August 1702. In February 1703 Swedes besieged the monastery, but failed to seize it. In April 1705 the Swedes returned, and appeared at the monastery again in September 1709. Unable to capture the fortified stronghold, they looted villages in the area, set Częstochowa on fire, and left towards [[Wieluń]]. At that time, a village of Częstochówka also existed next to Częstochowa. The village belonged to the monastery and quickly developed. In 1717 it was granted town charter, and its name was changed into ''Nowa Częstochowa'' (''New Częstochowa''). The town was completely destroyed during the [[Bar Confederation]]. On 8 February 1769 the monastery was seized by rebels of the Bar Confederation, commanded by [[Kazimierz Pułaski]]. Soon the stronghold was besieged by Russians under German-born General Johann von Drewitz. The Russians gave up on 15 January 1771.<ref name="Official" />

In 1789, the population of Częstochowa (also called ''Stara Częstochowa'', ''Old Częstochowa'') was app. 1,600, which was less than in the 15th century. After the [[Great Sejm]] passed the [[Constitution of 3 May 1791]], local [[Sejmik]]s were obliged to legitimize it. On 14–15 February 1792, a sejmik of the [[szlachta]] of northern part of [[Kraków Voivodeship (14th century – 1795)|Kraków Voivodeship]] (counties of [[Lelów]] and [[Książ Wielki]]) took place in Częstochowa. Traditionally, local sejmiks were organized in [[Żarnowiec, Silesian Voivodeship|Żarnowiec]]; the fact that it was moved to Częstochowa confirms the growing importance of the town.

In 1760, [[Jacob Frank]], the leader of a [[Judaism|Jewish]] sect mixing Kabbalah, [[Catholicism]] and Islam, was imprisoned for heresy in the monastery by the church. His followers settled near him, later establishing a cult of his daughter [[Eve Frank]]. In August 1772, Frank was released by the Russian general [[Aleksandr Bibikov]], who had occupied the city. Frank had promised the Russians that he would convince Jews to convert to [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]].<ref name="Official" />