Regional councils summoned within provinces as a special form of state self-government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Cover Image

Sejmiki zwoływane sposobem wojewódzkim jako szczególna forma samorządu stanowego w Wielkim Księstwie Litewskim
Regional councils summoned within provinces as a special form of state self-government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Author(s): Oskar Kanecki
Subject(s): History, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, History of Law
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: Grand Duchy of Lithuania; regional councils of nobility; interregnum; gathering of nobility; state self-government

Summary/Abstract: A particularly difficult time for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the period of interregnum following the death of Zygmunt August. It led to the introduction of special forms of gatherings by the nobility. Summoning regional councils within provinces allowed for speeding up the decision-making process, which at the time was necessary. It was also a convenient way for the dominant elites of that period (the magnates) to control the nobility. It was an original contribution of Lithuania to the form of the regional council of nobility, which was adopted from the Kingdom of Poland. The Regional Council of Vilnius, held in the said form, was sometimes taking decisions applicable for the whole country.

  • Issue Year: 15/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 85-94
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish