Between Vilnius and Kiev: the Lithuanian Grandees at the Head of the Kiev Land in the 15th – at the Beginning of the 16th Century

Rymvidas Petrauskas
Doctor of Historical Sciences (Dr. hab. in History),
Professor, Vilnius Universіty (Lithuania, Vilnius),
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/ul2013.02.048 

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Abstract

The subject of the article is the Lithuanian grandees, who ruled over the major land «Lithuanian Rus’» – Kiev on behalf of the request of the grand duke of Lithuania. In the first part of the article we analyzed motives, being guided with which candidates for a position of the Kiev deputy/voivode were selected. The second part is devoted to a social context of appointments of the Kiev voivodes of the second half of the 15th – the beginning of the 16th centuries (an origin of voivodes, their related communications, and contacts in the Kiev land and in the neighboring Ukrainian lands). For comparison data on other officials [«uryadnik»] of the Lithuanian origin in Ukraine are provided. From the middle of the 15th century there were changes in practice of the sovereign’s residence finding – he began to refuse custom of personal visit («detour») of the state.

In connection with this he ceased to come to Kiev, and this circumstance pushed voivodes on greater independence and new initiatives in Kiev. Already at the very beginning of the board Martin Gashtold proved in Kiev the residence – a yard of the voivode which soon turned into the important political center of the region which ceremonial is described by the Venetian ambassador Ambrogio Kontarini. Importance of a position and long distance from patrimonial possession forced the Kiev’s voivodes constantly had residence in Kiev. For this reason the Kiev’s voivodes are seldom mentioned among witnesses of grand-ducal documents. As well in patrimonial possession in Lithuania traces of their vigorous activity too are a little noticeable. Tracing pits and life of the Lithuanian grandees on the Ukrainian lands, that the marriage alliances between the Lithuanian and Ukrainian families were very seldom concluded is evident.

Marriage of Lutsk head Ivan Yursha with the daughter of Zhomoytoya head Jan Kezgaylovich was one of rare exeption. The confessional barrier only partly interfered with establishment of such related communications. «The regional endogamy» is peculiar to the 15th century in principle – marriages between representatives of various regions of the Grand Duchy meet extremely seldom. Appointment to the post of the Kiev voivode first of all depended on trust of the governor. But the trust of the sovereign wasn’t the only criterion – much important role was played also by personal (related) contact of grandees. Practicaly all cases of selection of candidates are explained by their origin and a personal contact. The combination of two principles – the right of the grand duke to appoint uryadnik and informal influence on this rendering concept about a circle «suitable for a position» – is peculiar also to purpose of other uryadnik of Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

 

Keywords

Kiev, governor of province [«voivode»], deputies, governing.

 

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