Union of Horodło

Poland and Lithuania 1386–1434
Mound of the Horodło Union; the monument was built in 1861 in Horodło to celebrate the 448th anniversary of the union.

The Union of Horodło or Pact of Horodło was a set of three acts signed in the town of Horodło on 2 October 1413. The first act was signed by Władysław II Jagiełło, King of Poland, and Vytautas, Grand Duke of Lithuania. The second and third acts were composed by the Polish nobility (szlachta) and Lithuanian boyars, respectively.[1] The union amended the earlier Polish–Lithuanian unions of Krewo and Vilnius–Radom. Politically, Lithuania received more autonomy as, after the death of Vytautas, the Lithuanian nobles could choose another Grand Duke instead of passing the title to Władysław II Jagiełło or his heir. However, culturally, Lithuania and Poland grew closer. Lithuania adopted Polish institutions of castellans and voivodes. Catholic Lithuanian nobles and church officials were granted equal rights with the Polish nobles and clergy. Forty-seven selected Lithuanian nobles were adopted by Polish families and granted Polish coats of arm. Thus the union signified the beginnings of the Polonization of Lithuanian culture and the rise of the Lithuanian nobility. It was one of the major steps towards the modernization and Europeanization of Lithuania.[2]

Historical background

Poland and Lithuania had been joined in a personal union since the Union of Krewo of 1385. Both countries were ruled by Władysław II Jagiełło. However, after the Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392) and the Ostrów Agreement, Vytautas gained the supreme power in Lithuania.[3] The legal basis for Polish–Lithuanian relations was revisited by the Union of Vilnius and Radom of 1401, which reiterated de facto Lithuanian independence and de jure Polish supremacy. Vytautas was to be known by the title of Grand Duke (magnus dux) and enjoyed vast power in Lithuania, while technically he was subordinate to Władysław II Jagiełło, 'Supreme Duke' (supremus dux) and King of Poland.[2] The union was signed after Vytautas' army was soundly defeated in the Battle of the Vorskla River and weakened Lithuania was looking for Polish support.[3] Taking advantage of the Lithuanian defeat, the Principality of Smolensk, Veliky Novgorod, and Pskov rebelled against Lithuanian rule, drawing Vytautas into a war with the Grand Duchy of Moscow.[4] However, within a few years peace was re-established in the east.

In 1409, the second Samogitian uprising against the Teutonic Knights escalated into the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. Joint Polish–Lithuanian forces defeated the Knights in the decisive Battle of Grunwald in 1410. However, the war did not resolve all the disputes and by 1413 Poland–Lithuania was preparing for another war with the Knights (see Hunger War).[2][5] These developments encouraged Poland and Lithuania to review their relationship.

Provisions

The treaty repeated the indissoluble character of the Polish–Lithuanian union while carefully balancing Polish and Lithuanian interests. The Lithuanians gained more autonomy as they received the right to elect a new Grand Duke after the death of Vytautas.[2] The earlier Union of Vilnius and Radom stipulated that Lithuania would pass to Władysław II Jagiełło or his heir. However, the Lithuanian nobles promised to consult the Polish nobles when choosing a successor to Vytautas. The reverse was also true: the Polish nobles promised to consult with the Lithuanians when electing the next Polish King.[1] The pact contained one of the first mentions of the Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Polish and Lithuanian nobles agreed to hold a joint general sejm to discuss all major matters, but such a sejm did not take place until 1564.[1] Nevertheless, it was a recognition of the political powers of the Lithuanian nobles.[2]

The Lithuanian nobles and clergy were granted equal rights with the Polish nobility and clergy.[6] However, this extended only to Catholics; many Ruthenian nobles, who were Eastern Orthodox, were excluded.[7] Selected Lithuanian nobles, 47 in total, were adopted into Polish heraldic families and granted Polish coats of arm. This symbolic gesture signified their desire to adopt Western customs and integrate into Western society.[2] Equal rights encouraged cooperation and kinship between Polish and Lithuanian nobles. The influence of Polish culture continued to increase, culminating in the Union of Lublin of 1569.[1]

Another significant resolution was the adoption of Polish administrative divisions and offices like voivode and castellan by Lithuania. The union created the Voivodeship of Trakai and Vilnius, governed by two Lithuanian nobles.[2] Former Slavic principalities and duchies largely preserved their old political, social, and administrative features for another century. Kiev Voivodeship was established in 1471, and another five voivodeships were established between 1504 and 1514.[8] This administrative change signified the modernization of the Grand Duchy and a decline of traditional dynastic politics. Previously major regions of the Grand Duchy were ruled by members of the ruling dynasty (siblings, children, cousins, etc. of the Grand Duke). Such principalities remained semi-independent and their rulers could become powerful rivals of the Grand Duke with their own claims to the throne.[8] The new voivodeships were governed by trustworthy nobles, unrelated to the royal clan, who could be easily replaced. Soon the nobility replaced members of the ruling dynasty as the driving force behind Lithuanian politics.

Adopted Polish coat of arms

Arms Clan Polish representative Lithuanian representative
Herb Abdank.svg Abdank Piotr of Widawa (Judge of Sieradz),
Jakub of Rogoźno
Jonas Goštautas (Jan Gasztołd)
Herb Bogoria.jpg Bogorya Marek of Nakola Stanisław Visgintas (Wyszygin)
POL COA Ciołek.svg Ciołek Stanisław of Brzeża (?) Jan Eiviltas (Ewild)
Herb Debno.jpg Dębno Dobiesław of Oleśnica (Castellan of Wojnicz) Albrecht Kareiva (Korewa) of Sowgotsko
POL COA Doliwa.svg Doliwa Maciej Kot (Castellan of Nakielsk),
Janusz Furman (Castellan of Międzyrzec),
Piotr of Falkowa
Naczko
POL COA Dołęga.svg Dołęga Unknown Mantvilas (Monstywild)
Herb Dryja.PNG Drya Janusz of Tuliszków (Castellan of Kalisz) Mikołaj Tautgirdas (Tawtygierd)
Herb Dzialosza.jpg Działosza Unknown Wołczko Rokutowicz
Herb Gieralt.png Gierałt Mikołaj of Gorzków (Bishop of Vilnius) Surgintas (Surgut) Reszyński
Herb Godziemba.PNG Godziemba Andrzej of Lubraniec (Judge of Kujawy),
Andrzej (Pastor of Włocławek)
Stanisław Butautas (Butowtowicz)
POL COA Gryf.svg Gryf Unknown Butautas (Butowd)
Herb Grzymala.jpg Grzymała Domarat of Kobylan (Castellan of Biecz) Jan Rimvydas (Rymwidowicz)
Herb Janina.jpg Janina Maciej (Bishop of Przemyśl),
Mikołaj of Suchodół (Judge of Lublin),
Piotr of Tura (Judge of Łęczyca)
Wojsym Danejkowicz (Danis?)
Herb Jastrzebiec.jpg Jastrzębiec Wojciech (Bishop of Kraków),
Marcin of Lubnica
Nirmedas (Nemir) (Starost of Polotsk)
Jelita herb.svg Jelita Klemens of Mokrsko (Castellan of Radom),
Florian of Korytnicy (Castellan of Wiślica)
Girdutis (Gierdut)
Herb Kopacz.jpg Kopacz Unknown Getautas (Getowd)
Herb Korczak.jpg Korczak Unknown Czupa
POL COA Kot Morski.svg Kot Morski Unknown Vaišnoras Vilgailaitis (Wojsnar Wilkolewicz)
POL COA Leliwa.svg Leliwa Jan of Tarnów (Voivode of Kraków),
Jadwiga of Leżenic
Albertas Manvydas (Moniwid) (Voivode of Vilnius)
POL COA Lis.svg Lis Krystyn of Kozichgłówy (Castellan of Sącz) Jan Sangailas (Sunigajło) (Castellan of Trakai)
Herb Lodzia.jpg Łodzia Mościc of Stęszew (Castellan of Poznań) Mikusz Wilczkowicz
Herb Łabędź 1.svg Łabędź Dziersław of Skrzynna ? Gelgantas (Goligunt)
Herb Nalecz.jpg Nałęcz Sędziwoj of Ostroroga (Voivode of Poznań),
Mikołaj of Czarnków (Judge of Poznan)
Koczan
Herb Nowina.jpg Nowina Mikołaj of Sepna Mikołaj Beinoras (Boynar)
HerbOdrowaz.jpg Odrowąż Jan of Szczekociny (Castellan of Lublin) Visgirdas (Wyszegerd)
Herb Ogonczyk.jpg Ogończyk Wojciech of Kościola (Castellan of Brzeg),
Mikołaj of Taczów
Jerzy Sangraw (Sungaila)
Herb Oksza.jpg Oksza Mikołaj of Strzelc (Judge of Sandomierz),
Klemens Wątróbka of Strzelc
Minmantas (Minimod) Sesnikowicz
Herb Ossorya.jpg Ossorya Mikołaj of Korabiowic Tvirbutas (Twerbut)
Herb Kuszaba.jpg Paprzyca Unknown Mažtautas (Mosztołd)
Herb Pierzchala.jpg Pierzchała Piotr of Włoszczowa (Castellan of Dobrzyn) Daukšas (Dauksza)
Herb Pobog.jpg Pobóg Jakub Koniecpolski (Voivode of Sieradz),
Piotr of Popowo
Ralo
Herb Pomian.svg Pomian Jan Pella (Bishop of Włocławek) Stanisław Sak
POL COA Poraj.svg Poraj Micał of Michałow (Voivode of Sandomierz),
Jaka (Judge of Kalisz)
Mikołaj Bilminas (Bylimin)
Herb Polkozic.jpg Półkozic Jan of Rzeszów (Bishop of Lviv),
Jan Ligęza of Bobrku (Voivode of Łęczyca),
Micha of Bogumiłowice (Castellan of Sandomierz),
Jan of Bogumiłowice (Castellan of Czchów),
Paweł of Bogumiłowice (Judge of Kraków),
Marcin of Wrocimowice (Chorąży of Kraków)
Wołczko Kovaldas (Kukwa)
POL COA Rawicz.svg Rawicz Krystyn of Ostrów (Castellan of Kraków),
Grot of Jankowice (Castellan of Małogojszcz)
Mingailas (Minigajło, then Minigał) (Castellan of Vilnius)
Herb Rola.jpg Rola Jan of Łąkoszyn (Castellan of Łęczyca),
Mikołaj of ...
Danguolis (Dangel)
Sulima herb.svg Sulima Stanisław Gamrat of Klimuntowic (Castellan of Połaniec) Radvilas (Rodywił-Radziwił(ł)), then Radziwił(ł)owicz
Herb Syrokomla.jpg Syrokomla Jakub of Kurdwanowa (Bishop of Płock) Jonas Mingailis (Jan Minigel)
Herb Szreniawa.jpg Szreniawa Jan of Łańcuchów and Grodziny (Castellan of Zawichost) Jotautas (Jadat)
Herb Swinka.jpg Świnka Unknown Andrzej Daukantas (Dewknotowicz)
Herb Topor.jpg Topór Maciej of Wąsosz (Voivode of Kalisz) Jonas Butrimas (Jan Butrym) of Żyrmonów
Herb Traby.jpg Trąby Mikołaj Trąba (Archbishop of Gniezno) Kristinas Astikas (Ościk)
POL COA Trzaska.svg Trzaska Unknown Vaidilas (Wojdyło) Kuszulowicz
Herb Wadwicz.jpg Wadwicz Jan Mężyk of Dąbrowy Petras Mantigirdaitis (Montygerd, then Montygerdowicz)
POL COA Wąż.svg Wąż Unknown Koczan Sukowicz
Herb Zadora.jpg Zadora Zbigniew of Brzezia (Crown Marshall) Jaunutis Valimantaitis (Jawnuta Wolimuntowicz), Voivode of Trakai (from his younger brother Mykolas Kęsgaila the Kęsgailos family descended)
Herb Zaremba.jpg Zaremba Jan of Królików (Castellan of Gniezno),
Marcin of Kalinów (Castellan of Sieradz)
Gintas (Ginet) Konczewicz

References

  1. ^ a b c d Simas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Horodle, Union of". Encyclopedia Lituanica. II. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 443–444. LCC 74-114275.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kiaupa, Zigmantas; Jūratė Kiaupienė; Albinas Kunevičius (2000) [1995]. The History of Lithuania Before 1795 (English ed.). Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History. pp. 154–155. ISBN 9986-810-13-2.
  3. ^ a b Stone, Daniel (2001). The Polish–Lithuanian State, 1386–1795. A History of East Central Europe. University of Washington Press. pp. 10–11. ISBN 0-295-98093-1.
  4. ^ (in Lithuanian) Ivinskis, Zenonas (1978). Lietuvos istorija iki Vytauto Didžiojo mirties. Rome: Lietuvių katalikų mokslo akademija. p. 319. LCC 79346776.
  5. ^ Urban, William (2003). Tannenberg and After. Chicago: Lithuanian Research and Studies Center. pp. 195–196. ISBN 0-929700-25-2.
  6. ^ (in Lithuanian) Ivinskis, Zenonas (1978). Lietuvos istorija iki Vytauto Didžiojo mirties. Rome: Lietuvių katalikų mokslo akademija. p. 367. LCC 79346776.
  7. ^ Subtelny, Orest (1988). Ukraine: A History. CUP Archive. p. 49.
  8. ^ a b Simas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Administration". Encyclopedia Lituanica. I. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 17–21. LCC 74-114275.

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