Вышэйшыя дзяржаўныя ўраднікі Вялікага Княства Літоўскага ў час праўлення Уладзіслава Вазы (1633-1648 гг.)

ENThe article presents some results of studying the structure of the central, as well as the highest local state officials of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 30-40s of the XVII century. The ruling apparatus of the principality consisted of the officials, one part of whom served the state, in a narrow sense, and the other part served the monarch. In practice, the division did not always took place. Based on the competence of the central bureaucracy of the GDL, the state performed a minimal set of functions, which was typical for traditional societies. During the reign of Ladislas Vasa, some former posts were restored and some new ones were set up, which led to an increase in the number of government officials who served the state itself. The aristocratic model of political elites recruiting determined the order of the appointment to the positions. Central and local posts were distributed by the monarch among dozens gentry families, the wealthiest and most authoritative of them monopolized the access to the highest posts in the GDL. At the same time, in Ladislas Vasa governing, a career in the civil service was available to the persons who did not belong to the hereditary local aristocracy, moreover, it was available to foreigners by birth. Keywords: the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, state, bureaucracy, officials, gentry, the Radzivils, the Sapegas.