Prowincjonalna elita litewska w XVIII wieku : działalność polityczna rodziny Zabiełłów w latach 1733-1795

Jusupović, Monika

doi:978-83-7543-318-0

Skip to main menu
Skip to search engine
Skip to content
Skip to footer

Prowincjonalna elita litewska w XVIII wieku : działalność polityczna rodziny Zabiełłów w latach 1733-1795

Download

Description
Information

Title: Prowincjonalna elita litewska w XVIII wieku : działalność polityczna rodziny Zabiełłów w latach 1733-1795

Abstract:

In the political system of the 18yth-century Commonwealth an important role was played by local activists. They organised sessions of local assemblies (sejmiks) and cooperated with the leaders of magnate factions, without neglecting their own careers. An example of such a local elite is the Zabiełło family who in the 18th century played a dominant part in the district of Kowno (Kaunas), and also sought to increase their influence to include the neighbouring lands. Despite their importance, the Zabiełłos have not yet been the subject of a thorough analysis or study. For this reason, it was necessary to compile a genealogy of the family before taking on the subject of their political activity. The Zabiełłos acquired their importance in the 18th century, mainly from activities of the representatives of their two lines: of masters of the royal hunt and of the Łabunów estate. This was reflected in holding the office of marshal of Kaunas in 1730–1795 by members of this family, including probably the most actively politically Antoni Zabiełło. Less significant role was played by the line of Medeksze estate, possibly because of their Evangelical Reformed faith. Political importance of individual lines of the Zabiełło family and their representatives was mirrored in their material situation. With the growth of their political presence the Zabiełłos sought to build their own party. [...] An analysis undertaken indicates that the provincial elites of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were able to effectively use the struggles at sejmiks for their own promotions. By manoeuvring between competing magnate factions, leaders of the nobility were acquiring political importance, influences among the nobility and material gains. All that contributed to their social advancement to such a degree that they were able to build their own political faction, struggling with the court party on the provincial scale. To draw more broad conclusions, however, further study is required into provincial elites.