Prawodawstwo dla miast z wczesnego okresu polskiego parlamentaryzmu (do 1468 roku)
Legislation for Cities Dating Back to the Early Period of Polish Parliamentarism

Summary/Abstract: An intensive development of Polish parliamentarism took place in the 15th century; the composition, procedures and competence scope of the General Sejm (Polish parliament) were being established, an example of which may be the principle that the Polish gentry was to be represented in Parliament by elected deputies – two from each land. Among the numerous regulations established at all kinds of conventions which took place in the early period of Polish parliamentarism, there were issues devoted to cities and town dwellers. Among them, one should mention, among others, regulations relating to trade and trade routes, those counteracting the high costs of life, changes relating to the principles of court proceedings, and taxes. Numerous regulations had to be reevaluated and reconsidered at successive parliamentary sessions, also in the 16th century, which testifies to the fact that due to the resistance of the townsfolk, the regulations passed by the sejm, had not been applied. Yet the overall evaluation of parliamentary legislation dating back to the early period of Polish parliamentarism, does not allow one to conclude that this legislation was unequivocally anti-urban. Numerous laws and regulations which had been passed in the interest of the gentry were also favorable to the townsmen.

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