Jak rządzić wielką fortuną? (na przykładzie dóbr książąt Olelkowiczów)

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Collection:
Mokslo publikacijos / Scientific publications
Document Type:
Straipsnis / Article
Language:
Lenkų kalba / Polish
Title:
Jak rządzić wielką fortuną? (na przykładzie dóbr książąt Olelkowiczów)
Alternative Title:
How to manage a great fortune? (On the example of the estates of the Olelkovich dukes)
Authors:
Skiepjan, Anastasija
In the Journal:
Rocznik Lituanistyczny, 2023, 9, p. 161-186
Subject Category:
LT
1569-1795. Lietuva ATR laikotarpiu; Lietuva (Lithuania); Bajorai. Didikai. Valdovai / Gentry. Nobles. Kings; Politinė istorija / Political history.
Summary / Abstract:

ENThe article’s objective is to determine the methods and conditions of managing large landed estates in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the second half of the sixteenth century to the third decade of the next century on the example of the Olelkovich dukes, the Radziwiłłs and Lew Sapieha. The presented sources make it possible to establish the existence of two property management strategies at the end of the sixteenth century. The traditional one was built on the exploitation of the agricultural economy and the development of grain trade. It was based only on master-administrator relations, and the control of the offi cial’s activities was irregular. Most of the administration’s work still rested with the owner rather than his officials. It was not always effective for the owner to personally supervise the administration. By the end of the sixteenth century, this method of administration did not allow for control over the owner’s income and expenditure. It created opportunities for local abuse, quickly followed by a fall in revenue. The great economic changes, which had a decisive infl uence on society and the system of managing the magnate’s estates, were brought about by the land reform in parts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that established a three-field system for crop rotation, called the volok reform (Polish: reforma włóczna). When a lord wanted to increase his income, he had to invest heavily in developing the agricultural economy by creating manors, founding towns and developing the infrastructure and trade.The decline in revenue and lack of cash in the treasury was closely linked to the political and economic activities of the patron and his expenditures, the qualification of officials and the inefficient management of the estates. The new system was closely linked to a particular specialization of the manors. The main feature of this management method became specialization among the officials and the creation of a new double system of control. They continued to keep accounts but reported on their management to the owners and inspectors appointed by them. Such changes in the control and supervision system ensured an increase in income for the owners of large landed estates. Keywords: Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Olelkovich Dukes, latifundium, management, officials, magnates, control.

DOI:
10.12775/RL.2023.9.08
ISSN:
2450-8446; 2450-8454
Subject:
Istorija / History
Related Publications:
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https://www.lituanistika.lt/content/114005
Updated:
2025-07-29 19:18:42
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