Miasto Kraków a Sejmik szlachecki województwa krakowskiego w XVII wieku

Abstrakt

THE CITY OF CRACOW AND THE NOBLEMEN’S ASSEMBLY OF THE CRACOW VOIVODSHIP IN THE 17th CENTURY

The history of Cracow in the 17th century is connected with its noblemen’s assembly, as a conflict of interests between two local governments —municipal and noblemen’s—was present in every field of life. Municipal matters were reflected in the assembly’s instructions and discussed at noblemen’s assemblies of all kinds. The nobles often took resolutions that were to be implemented by the city authorities. Through assembly instructions the city addressed its requests to the Seym and the nobles supported them. The 17th century was especially important for Cracow. The wars that were conducted in that century ruined the nation’s prosperity leading to the weakening of the state which became dependent from neighbouring countries. These wars destroyed Cracow—not only were part of its defensive walls destroyed but its economy was also affected. The city’s decline was reflected in its status at the Seym, where Cracow had held an important role as long ago as the 16th century. Nobles took advantage of the weakening of the city and tried to abolish its privilege of participating in parliamentary debates.
The above relations were analysed on the basis of the files of the assembly of the Cracow Voivodship from 1572—1696 and the accounts by Cracow members of the parliament from the Warsaw Seym meetings in 1689 and 1690.
An analysis of the status of the local government on the municipal level in the 17th century compared to the noblemen’s assembly of the Cracow voivodship shows a decline of the significance of the city. Throughout the century the assembly gained an increasing scope of competence. This process was a result of the decline of the national Seym caused by the political and economic weakness of the Republic. By the 17th century Cracow’s position was significant, strengthened by royal patronage and an economic boom bringing the city’s prosperity. Despite the economic collapse of the city, it was not refused its right to participate in the parliamentary debates but it did have a vote on matters regarding the city. To achieve positive decisions on municipal affairs the city needed support from noble members of Seym and Senators who granted these only when they received compensation. The matters brought up for debate on behalf of the city most often concerned taxes, purchase of landed property, fortifications and trade regulations. The nobles’ attitude towards municipal government depended on situation, on the types of requests, fulfilment of financial duties by the City and on financial rewards granted to nobles. The nobles wanted to achieve great profits at no cost for themselves, and the city was the source of such income. The city defended itself by refusing to pay taxes or preventing tax collection.
Despite all this, the noblemen’s assembly was a link between the city and the Seym. The 17th century was an era of the city’s decline, and in the 18th century the situation was significantly aggravated.