Rola wojska w życiu publicznym w Wielkim Księstwie Litewskim w okresie tzw. hegemonii pacowskiej (1666-1682)

ENThe second half of the seventeenth century, in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is known as the age of hegemony of large magnate families - Radziwiłł, Sapieha and Рас, whom seized almost total control over public life by concentrating amongst themselves the most important military as well as civilian authorities and offices, including religious positions as well. An especially important asset in the political struggle at the time was the Lithuanian army. The unique nature of the Lithuanian military system, highly developed clientele ties, the wide powers of the Grand Hetman office (albeit the powers were significantly reduced at the time of army division into right and left wing divisions) meant that in the Grand Duchy, there was a wide range of possibilities of using the military in actions against political opponents. In the second half of the seventeenth century, the Hetman office was mostly in the hands of the opponents of the Crown, besides short episodes during the reign of Michał Korybut Wis'niowiecki, when it was held by a regalist. To no surprise, Paweł Jan Sapieha during the reign of Jan Kazimierz, as well as Michał Kazimierz Рас and Kazimierz Jan Sapieha during the reign of Jan III, constantly conspired or used their subordinates in actions against the king (often in the form of the confederacy) in order to achieve political benefits or to derail or sabotage specific actions or intentions of the monarch.One of the favorite, and very successful methods of political battle at the time was allocating the military (“giving bread”) in the adversary estates, which would quickly bring them to ruins, and persuade the owner to a more “flexible” political attitude. A similar role was played by “appropriately” chosen march routes for the divisions, or picking services and housing with higher standards, than those allowed by the law. During the age of the Рас hegemony, and subsequently Sapieha hegemony, the soldiers, whether with their patrons or officially under the military banners, often attended sessions of the noblemen government meetings. More often than not in order to terrorize opponents and influence the decision making process. The dramatic events dating back to 1672, were a direct result of such actions, as those government meetings were often very bloody in nature and such riots nearly led the country to the verge of a civil war.

• Sejmik oszmiański jako forum walki politycznej w drugiej połowie XVII w.. Wobec sejmików. Magnateria Rzeczypospolitej w XVI–XVIII wieku, T. 2,. Białystok, 2024. P. 305-333.
• Strefy wpływów magnackich na Litwie za panowania Wazów.. Wobec sejmików. Magnateria Rzeczypospolitej w XVI–XVIII wieku, T. 2,. Białystok, 2024. P. 239-259.