Confirmation of the rights and privileges of the Lviv Armenians by King Henry Valois

[recto:] IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AMEN. In eternal memory of the matter. WE, HENRY, by the grace of God King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and also of the lands of Kraków, Sandomierz, Sieradz, Łęczyca, Kujawy, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Chełmno, Elbląg, Pomerania, Kyiv, Volhynia, Podlaskie, and Livonia etc., as well as Duke of Anjou, Bourbon, Auvergne, Count of La Marche, Forez, Quercy, Rouergue, and Montfort etc. We hereby announce by this our letter to all and each one individually, whom it concerns and who shall receive knowledge of this, both present and future. That although during the solemn beginnings of the reign of our Majesty, recently celebrated here in Kraków – when the spiritual and secular princes and other prelates and barons, the estates, and all the orders of our KINGDOM were present at our dignified inauguration and coronation – we confirmed all rights and privileges granted and bestowed by our once divine predecessors, princes and kings of Poland, to all our subjects, whosoever they may be, both spiritual and secular, both in the Kingdom of Poland and in other provinces and possessions united, annexed, and incorporated with the Kingdom, and we also pledged to observe them holily and inviolably by the power of the oath taken by us. However, since the faithful subjects, envoys of the Armenians of our city of Lviv, present at this assembly of our happy coronation, having appeared before our face, in their own name and in the name of the community of Armenians residing there, humbly asked us that we might wish, by our royal authority, in our separate letter, to approve, confirm, and ratify all rights, privileges, letters, liberties, prerogatives, and immunities granted to these Lviv Armenians and their community by the Most Serene kings, our predecessors, and others, and furthermore also the customs which they have used until now. We, graciously acceding to the request of those envoys submitted in the name of the Lviv Armenian community as just and consistent with equity, recognizing all privileges, rights, donations, letters, liberties, prerogatives, exemptions, and immunities which these Armenians and their community enjoy, justly and legally granted to them by our Most Serene predecessors publicly and privately – which we wish to have hereby considered as specified and included separately, word for word, both generally and specifically, not derogating in any way the general by the specific nor the specific by the general, according to how they have been observed until now in all their points, clauses, articles, and conditions, and furthermore also the customs which they have enjoyed and enjoy until now – have deemed worthy of approval, ratification, and confirmation, and by this our letter we approve, ratify, and confirm, decreeing that all those rights, privileges, donations, letters, liberties, and immunities as well as customs should obtain the force of due and eternal durability. For this reason, we order all and each one individually, people of any status, rank, and condition, and in particular the nobly born Mikołaj Herburt, our Starosta of Lviv, as well as the present and currently serving mayor with the councilors, the wójt, and the jurors, wishing absolutely that they protect and defend these our Lviv Armenians in all their rights, privileges, liberties, and customary prerogatives, and that they ensure they are preserved, protected, and defended. Doing this for our grace and by the duty of your offices, not acting otherwise. In witness whereof our seal has been appended to this document. Given in Kraków, at the general sejm of our dignified coronation, on the twelfth day of the month of March, in the Year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and seventy-four, and the first year of our reign. In the presence of the most reverend and most illustrious fathers in Christ, the lords: Jakub Uchański – Archbishop of Gniezno, Legate born and Primate of our Kingdom, Stanisław Słomowski – Archbishop of Lviv, Franciszek Krasiński – of Kraków, Stanisław Karnkowski – of Włocławek and Pomerania, Adam Konarski of Kobylin – of Poznań, Piotr Myszkowski – of Płock, Wojciech Staroźrzebski – of Chełm, Dionizy Secygniowski – of Kamianets, bishops. And also the magnificent, venerable, and nobly born: Sebastian of Mielec – Castellan of Kraków and Brześć Kujawski, Jan Firlej of Dąbrowica – of Kraków and Rohatyn, Mikołaj Radziwiłł – Prince in Dubinki, of Vilnius, Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and of Lida, Mogilev, and Barysaw, Piotr of Zborów – of Sandomierz and Stobnica and Kamianets, Kasper Zebrzydowski – of Łęczyca and Przedecz, Jan Chodkiewicz – Count of Shklow, General Starosta of the lands of Samogitia and Marshal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and of Kaunas and Plateliai, Jan of Służewo – of Brześć and [...], Basil Konstantynovich – Prince of Ostrog, of Kyiv and Marshal of the lands of Volhynia and of Volodymyr, Jan Krotoski of Barcin – of Inowrocław, Jerzy Jazłowiecki of Buczacz – of Ruthenia and Field Hetman of the armies of our Kingdom and of Lubaczów and Chervonohrad, Mikołaj of Mielec – of Podolia and Nowy Korczyn and Gródek, Stanisław Ławski of Strzegocin – of Masovia and deputy there, Fabian Czem – of Malbork and Starogard, voivodes and starostas. And also Piotr of Czarnków – of Poznań and Babimost, Hieronim Ossoliński – of Sandomierz and Rzeszów, Jan of Tomice – of Gniezno, Jan Count of Tęczyn – of Wojnicz and Lublin, Stanisław Herburt of Fulsztyn – of Lviv and Drohobych, Sambir and salt-works administrator of Ruthenia, Hieronim of Sieniawa – of Kamianets and Halych, Zygmunt Wolski of Podhajce – of Czersk and Warsaw, Jan Kostka of Sztumberg – of Gdańsk and Treasurer of Prussia and Malbork, Stanisław Szafraniec of Pieskowa Skała – of Biecz and Lelów, Jan Herburt of Fulsztyn – of Sanok and Przemyśl, Stanisław Count of Tarnów – of Czechów, castellans and starostas. Jan Firlej of Dąbrowica – [Grand] of our Kingdom, Jan Chodkiewicz – [Grand] of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Piotr Opaliński – Court of the Kingdom, Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł – Court of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, marshals, Walenty Dembieński of Dębiany – Chancellor of the Kingdom and Starosta of Warka, Hieronim Bużeński – Treasurer of the Kingdom and salt-works administrator of Kraków, Erazm Dembieński – Dean of Kraków and Cantor of Sandomierz, Jan Zborowski – Provost of Sandomierz, Jan Walenty Mężyk [?], Paweł Rossakowski – our secretaries, and very many other dignitaries, officials, our courtiers, credible witnesses. Given by the hands of the above-mentioned Walenty Dembieński, Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland, sincerely dear to us. [Signature on the right on the fold:] Report of the magnificent Walenty Dembieński of Dębiany, Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland. [Signature on the left on the fold:] Walenty Dąbrowski, [...] secretary of the Kingdom of Poland. [Verso:] [Note 1:] Year 1574, day 12 of the month of March, in Kraków. [Note 2 in Armenian:] [...] [Note 3 in Polish:] [...] Henry confirms [...] rights privileges [...] of Lviv [...] [Note 4 in Armenian:] [...] [Note 5 in Latin, inverted:] Letters and privileges [...] of the King of Poland Henry [...] confirming the rights [...] of Lviv [...] confirmed. [Note 6:] Confirmation of Henry 1574. [Note 7:] 1891 N 10 [and a round ink stamp]. [Note 8:] 1574. [Note 9:] Litt: K: No 41. [Seal:] [On a blue-yellow silk cord threaded through the fold hangs a royal seal in red wax in a bowl of natural wax, partially damaged]

[recto:] IN NOMINE DOMINI AMEN Ad perpetuam rei memoriam. NOS HENRICVS Dei gratia REX Poloniae magnus DVX Lithuaniae, Nec non terrarum Cracoviae Sandomiriae Siradiae Lanciciae Cuiaviae Russiae Prussiae Masoviae Samogitiae Culmen[sis] Elbing[en]n[sis] Pomeraniae Kioviae Wolhiniae Podlachiae Livoniaeq[ue] etc. Nec non DVX Andium Borboniorum Aluernorum Comes Marchiae Forensi Quercii Rouergii et Montisforti etc. Significamus praesentibus literis nostris quo[s] ram interest universis et singulis harum noticiam habituris tam praesentibus quam futuris. QVIA licet in sacris Maiestatis nostrae primitiis hic Cracoviae nuper celebratis cum scilicet Principes spirituales et seculares caeteriq[ue] Praelati et Barones sta- tus ac ordines omnes REGNI nostri Augustae nostrae aderant inaugurationi et Coronationi universa iura et Privilegia per divos olim antecessores nostros Principes et Reges Poloniae omnes Subditis nostris quibuscunq[ue] tam spirituali- bus quam secularibus tam in Regno Poloniae quam et in alijs Provincijs ac dominijs Regno unitis adiunctis et incorporatis data et concessa confirmaverimus, eaq[ue] nos sancte et inviolabiliter observaturos vigore praestiti a nobis iuramenti obli- gaverimus. QVIA tamen in Conventu praesenti foelicis Coronationis nostrae existen[tes] venien[tes] ad praesentiam nostram fideles subditi Armenorum Nuncij Civitatis nostrae Leopolien[sis] suo et communitatis Armenorum ibidem consisten[tium] nomine nobis humiliter supplicarunt, ut omnia iura Privilegia literas, libertates, praerogativas, immunitates, ipsis Armenis Leopolien[sibus] et ipsorum communitati a Serenissimis antecessoribus nostris Regibus alijsq[ue] concessas, insuper et consuetudines quibus hucusq[ue] usi sunt specialibus nostris literis authoritate nostra Regia approbare confirmare & ratificare dignaremur. Nos ipsorum nunciorum nomine Communitatis Armenorum Leopolien[sium] supplicationi ut iustae et aequitati conso- nae benigne annuen[tes], censen[tes] omnia Privilegia iura donationes literas, libertates, praerogativas, exemptiones, immunitates, quibus ipsi Armeni eorumq[ue] communitas gaudet, iuste et legittime ipsis per Serenissimos antecessores nostros publice et priva- tim concessas quas hic pro specialiter et singillatim insertis et expressis de verbo ad verbum habere volumus tam in genere quam in specie generalitati per specialitatem et specialitati per generalitatem in nullo derogan[tes], in quoq[ue] tamen visu hucusq[ue] extiterant in omnibus eor[um] punctis, clausulis, articulis et conditionibus insuper et consuetudines quibus hucusq[ue] usi sunt et utuntur, approban[dum], ratifican[dum] et confirmandum duximus approbamusq[ue] ratificamus et confirmamus prae[sen]- tibus literis nostris decernen[tes] ea omnia iura Privilegia donationes literas libertates et immunitates ac consuetudines robur debitae et perpetuae firmitatis obtinere debere. QVA mobrem universis et singulis cuiuscunq[ue] status, gradus, et con- ditionis hominibus, nominatim autem Generoso Nicolao Herborth Capitaneo nostro Leopolien[si] nec non et Proconsuli cum Consulibus, Advocato et Scabinis modernis et pro tempore existen[tibus] mandamus omnino habere volen[tes], ut eosdem Armenos n[ost]ros Leopolien[ses] in omnibus eor[um] iuribus Privilegijs libertatibus et praerogativis consuetis manu teneant et defendant ac conservari manutenere defendiq[ue] faciant. Pro gratia n[ost]ra et debito officior[um] vestrorum secus non facturi. In cuius rei fidem sigillum nostrum praesentibus est subappensum. Datum Cracoviae in Comitijs generalibus augustae Coronationis nostrae die duodecima mensis Martij Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Septuage- simo Quarto, Regni vero nostri primo. Praesentibus Reverendissimis et Illustribus in Christo patribus dominis Iacobo Vchański Archiepiscopo Gnesnen[si] Legato nato et Regni nostri primate, Stanislao Słomowski Archiepiscopo Leopolien[si], Francisco Krasinski Cracovien[si], Stanislao Karnkowsky Wladislavien[si] et Pomeraniae, Adamo Konarski de Kobilino Posnanien[si], Petro Miszkowski Plocen[si], Alberto Starozrebski Chelmen[si], Dionisio Seczignewski Camenecen[si] Episcopis. Nec non Magnificis Venerabilibus et Generosis Sebastiano a Mielecz Castellano Cracovien[si] et Bresten[si] Cuiavien[si]q[ue], Ioanne Fierlei de Dambrowicza Cracovien[si] et Rohatinen[si], Nicolao Radziwil Duce in Dubniki Vilnen[si], Cancella[rio] vero Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae et Liden[si], Mohiren[si], Borossowien[si]q[ue], Petro a Zborow Sandomirien[si] et Stobnicen[si] Camienecen[si]q[ue], Gasparo Zebrzidowski Lancicien[si] et Przedecen[si], Ioanne Kotkiewics Comite in Szkłow Capita- neo generali terrarum Samogitiae et magni Ducatus Lithuaniae Marschalco, et Komen[si] Plotelen[si], Ioanne a Ssluszewo Bresten[si] et Kominren[si?], Basilio Constantinowicz Duce Ostrosia[e], Kioviae et terrarum Wolhiniae Marschalco, ac Wlodimirien[si], Ioanne Crotowski de Barczin Iuwladislawien[si], Georgio Iaslowieczki de Bucsacs Russiae et exercituum Regni n[ost]ri Campestri praefecto ac Limbacieuien[si] Czerwonegrodzen[si], Nicolao de Mieliecz Podoliae et novae civitatis Korcin Grodecen[si], Stanislao Lawski de Strzegocino Masoviae et vicesgerenti ibidem, Fabiano Czema Mariemburgen[si] et Staragardien[si] Palatinis et Capitaneis. Nec non Petro a Czarnkow Posnanien[si] et Babimosten[si], Hieronimo Ossolinski Sandomirien[si] et Rzeszowien[si], Ioanne de Thomitze Gnesnen[si], Ioanne Comite in Thenezin Woinicien[si] et Lublinen[si], Stanislao Herberth de Fulstin Leopolien[si] et Drobicen[si] Samboriensiq[ue] ac Russiae Zuppario, Hieronimo de Sieniawa Camenecen[si] et Halicien[si], SIGismundo Wolski de Podhaieze Czernen[si] et Warschawien[si], Ioanne Kostka de Stangenberg Gedanen[si] et Prussiae Thesaurario ac Mariemburgen[si], Stanislao Szafraniecz de Pieskowa skała Biecen[si], Lelovien[si]q[ue], Ioanne Herborth de Fulsztin Sanocen[si] et Praemislien[si], Stanislao Comite a Tarnow Czechowien[si] Castellanis et Capitaneis. Ioanne Fierlei de Dambrowicza Regni n[ost]ri, Ioanne Chodkiewicz magni Ducatus Lithua- niae, PETRO Opalinski Regni Curiae, Nicolao Christophoro Radziwił magni Ducatus Lithuaniae curiae Marschalcis, VAlentino Dembienski de Dembiani Regni Cancellario ac Warten[si] Capitaneo, Hieronimo Buzeńfki Regni Thesaurario ac Zuppario Cracovien[si], Erasmo Dembieński Decano Cracovien[si] ac Cantori Sandomirien[si], Ioanne Zaborowfki Praeposito Sandomirien[si], Ioanne Valentino Menbowski, Paulo Rossakowski secretarijs nostris et alijs quamplurimis Dignitarijs, Officialibus, Aulicis nostris testibus fidedignis. DAtum per manus supranominati VAlentini Dembieński Regni Poloniae Cancellarij sincere nobis dilecti. [Podpis po prawej na plice:] Relatio Magnifici Valentini Dembieński de Dembiani Regni Poloniae Cancellarij [Podpis po lewej na plice:] Valentij Dąbr[o]vsky R. P. Corf. S[ecr.] [Verso:] [Zapiska 1:] A[nno] 1574 die 12 Mens[is] Mart[ii] Cracoviae [Zapiska 2 w języku ormiańskim:] [...] [Zapiska 3 polska:] [...] Henricus potwierdza [...] praw przywileiow [...] Lwowskich [...] [Zapiska 4 w języku ormiańskim:] [...] [Zapiska 5 łacińska, odwrócona:] Litterae et Privilegia [...] Regis Poloniae Henrici [...] confirmans iura [...] Leopoliensis [...] confirmata [Zapiska 6:] Henrici 1574 confirmatio [Zapiska 7:] 1891 N 10 [oraz okrągła pieczęć tuszowa] [Zapiska 8:] 1574 [Zapiska 9:] Litt: K: No 41 [Pieczęć:] [Na niebiesko-żółtym jedwabnym sznurze przewleczonym przez plisę zawieszona pieczęć koronna w czerwonym wosku w misce z wosku naturalnego, częściowo uszkodzona]