Postawy elit Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego wobec elekcji Władysława IV Wazy i Michała Korybuta Wiśniowieckiego
- Recenzija leidinyje Zapiski historyczne. 2022, t. 87, z. 4, p. 165-170
- Recenzija leidinyje Kwartalnik Historyczny. 2023,t. 130, z. 1, p. 151-174
ENThe monography focuses mainly on an analysis of socio-political attitudes of representatives of the elites in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania towards candidates to the Polish throne. The author discusses constancy or changeability in the behavior of the magnates, which was influencing political attitudes of the whole environment connected with a given senator: his close and distant family, faction, and gentry centered around him. The problem is elucidated on the example of two elections which were held in widely different political circumstances: in 1632 in the case of Vladislaw IV Vasa and 1669 in the case of Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki (Michael I). Considering candidates to the crown in the context of the irreversible metamorphosis of political realities in the Polish Republic is a potentially rich field of research. With the first of these elections, we have a ruler who is seen as a continuator of a dynastic tradition, who has Jagiellonian and Habsburg blood in his veins, and who is related to other European dynasties. With the second, we see a nobleman, magnate from the eastern borderlands of Poland, 'first among equals,' without such family traditions as the Vasas had - a man, whose election gave rise to a new republican tradition.The analysis of socio-political elites of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is aimed at examining the stances taken by representatives of the most prominent Lithuanian families, such as the Radziwiłłs (of both lines: of Nieświerz and Biebrza), Sapiehas, Chodkiewiczs, and Pacs, towards election of the future king. Due to their political position and welfare, members of these families had a considerable impact on the Lithuanian gentry, including land officials and dignitaries. Making use of their connections, a vast client system, and diverse publicity measures, they were able to shape socio-political attitudes of the gentry according to their own opinions, needs, and views of the candidates to the crown. Keywords: Grand Duchy of Lithuania, elites, attitudes, magnates, royal elections, Władysław IV Waza, Vladislaw IV Vasa, Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki, Michael I, Sapecha family, Рас family, Radziwiłł family. [From the publication]
