Confirmation of the rights and privileges of the Armenian community in Lwów by King Stefan Batory

[Decorative initial I:] In the Name of the Lord, Amen. For the eternal memory of the matter. We, Stefan, 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, Livonia, Volhynia, Podlachia, Livonia, and also Prince of Transylvania, etc. We announce by this our letter to all and each one individually, whom it concerns, who are to have knowledge of this, both present and future. That although during the holy primitia of our Majesty, recently celebrated here in Kraków, when the distinguished spiritual and secular princes and other prelates and barons, estates and orders of our entire Kingdom were present at our distinguished inauguration and coronation, we confirmed all rights and privileges granted and bestowed by the predecessors of holy memory, once princes and kings of Poland, to all our subjects whatsoever, both spiritual and secular, both in the Kingdom of Poland and in other provinces and dominions united, annexed, and incorporated into the Kingdom, and we pledged by the power of the oath taken by us to observe them holily and inviolably; however, because at the current assembly of our happy coronation, the faithful subjects, envoys of the Armenians of our city of Lwów, having arrived before our presence, in their own name and in the name of the local Armenian community, humbly beseeched us that we might deign, by our special letter and our royal authority, to approve, confirm, and ratify all rights, privileges, documents, liberties, prerogatives, and immunities granted to these same Armenians of Lwów and their community by our Most Serene predecessors, the kings and others, and furthermore the customs which they have used until now. We, graciously acceding to the request of those envoys in the name of the Armenian community of Lwów as just and consistent with equity, deeming it proper to approve, ratify, and confirm, by this our letter do approve, ratify, and confirm all privileges, rights, donations, documents, liberties, prerogatives, exemptions, immunities, and decrees which these same Armenians and their community enjoy, justly and legally granted to them by our Most Serene predecessors publicly and privately – which we wish to have here included and expressed word for word in detail and individually, both in general and in particular, in no way detracting from the whole by the part nor from the part by the whole, provided that they have remained in their use until now – in all their points, clauses, articles, and conditions, and furthermore the customs which they have hitherto used and are using, ordaining that all those rights, privileges, donations, documents, liberties, and immunities as well as customs should obtain the power of due and eternal durability. Therefore, to all and individual people of any estate, rank, and condition, and in particular to the nobly born Mikołaj Herburt, our Starosta of Lwów, as well as to the mayor together with the councilors, the wójt, and the jurors, contemporary and serving at the given time, we command, wishing absolutely, that you preserve, maintain, and defend these same Armenians of Lwów in all their rights, privileges, liberties, and prerogatives, and cause them to be preserved, maintained, and defended, under penalty of the loss of our favor and by the duty of your offices, not acting otherwise. In testimony of which our seal has been appended to this privilege. Given in Kraków at the general sejm of our distinguished coronation, on the twenty-first day of the month of May, in the Year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and seventy-six, and the first year of our reign. In the presence of the venerable fathers in Christ, the lords: Franciszek Krasiński of Kraków, Wojciech Staroźrebski of Chełm, Łukasz Kościelecki of Płock – bishops; and also the magnificent, venerable, and nobly born: Mikołaj Dębieński of Dębian, Castellan of Kraków, Piotr Zborowski of Rytwiany, Voivode and General of Kraków, Starosta of Stobnica and Koronowo, Jan Kostka of Sztemberk, of Sandomierz and Malbork etc., Kasper Zebrzydowski of Kalisz, Jan Sierakowski of Łęczyca and Przedecz, Mikołaj Barzy of Szczekarzewice, of Lublin and Pilzno, Andrzej of Tęczyn of Bełz, Mikołaj Kiszka of Podlachia – voivodes and starostas; further Stanisław Herburt of Fulsztyn, Provost of Lwów and Sambor and administrator of the Ruthenian and Bydgoszcz salt mines, Stanisław Szafraniec of Pieskowa Skała, of Łuck and Lelów, Andrzej Dembowski of Sieradz and Łęczyca, Jan of Tęczyn of Wojnicz and Lublin, of Parczew, Mikołaj Ligęza of Bobrek, of Zawichost and Biecz, Krzysztof Lanckoroński of Brzezie, of Małogoszcz, Jan Krzysztoporski of Krzysztoporzyce, of Wieluń, Jan Herburt of Fulsztyn, of Sanok and Przemyśl, Paweł Działyński of Dobrzyń, Zygmunt Czyżowski of Bełz – castellans and starostas; Piotr Dunin Wolski, Chancellor, Jan Zamoyski, Vice-Chancellor and Starosta of Bełz, Krzeszów, and Zamech, Hieronim Bużeński of Bużenie, Treasurer of our Kingdom and Starosta of Brzeźnica, Dobczyce, and Krzeczów, as well as the administrator of Kraków, Andrzej of Zborów, Court Marshal of our Kingdom and Starosta of Radom, Stanisław Ossowski, Referendary of our court, Erazm Dębieński of Dębian, Dean of Kraków, Cantor of Sandomierz, Jan Boryszewski, Provost of Samogitia, Jan Zaborowski, Provost of Sandomierz, Andrzej Patrycy Nidecki, Doctor of both laws and Archdeacon of Vilnius and Canon of Warsaw, Wawrzyniec Goślicki, Canon of Kraków and Sandomierz, Maciej Nisiomski, Burgrave of Kraków, Bartłomiej Krasimowski, Paweł Rossokowski, secretaries of our court, and very many other dignitaries, officials, and our courtiers, credible witnesses. Given by the hands of the above-mentioned Jan Zamoyski, Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland and Starosta of Bełz, Krzeszów, and Zamech, sincerely dear to us. [Signature:] Stefan King, by own hand. [Under the fold:] Jan Zaborowski wrote. [Verso:] Confirmation of the rights and all prerogatives granted to the Armenians of Lwów by Lord Stefan, King of Poland. Year 1576. [Three lines of text in the Armenian alphabet:] [...] Stefan 1576. No. 69. [Different hand:] Confirmation of rights and privileges to the Armenians of Lwów [by King Stefan] 1576. [On the right side:] Letter: L 1576.

[Inicjał ozdobny I:] In Nomine Domini Amen Ad rei memoriam sempiternam. Nos Stephanus Dei gratia Rex Poloniae, magnus Dux Lithuaniae, nec non Terrarum Cracoviae, Sandomiriae, Siradiae, Lanciciae, Cuiaviae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Culmen[sis], Elbingensis, Pomeraniae, Livoniae, Volhiniae, Podlachiae, Livoniae, nec non Princeps Transylvaniae etc. Significamus praesentibus literis nostris, quorum interest universis et singulis harum notitiam habituris tam praesentibus quam futuris. Quia licet in Sacris Maiestatis nostrae primitiis hic Cracoviae nuper celebratis cum se[c]ti Principes Spirituales et Saeculares caeteriq[ue] praelati et Barones status ac Ordines omnis Regni nostri Augusta[e] nostrae aderant inaugurationi et Coronationi universa iura et Privilegia per divos olim antecessores nostros Principes et Reges Poloniae omnes subditis nostris quibuscunq[ue] tam spiritualibus quam saecularibus tam in Regno Poloniae quam et in aliis Provinciis ac dominiis Regno unitis adiunctis, et incorporatis data et concessa confirmaverimus eaq[ue] nos sancte et inviolabiliter observaturos vigore praestiti a nobis iuramenti obligaverimus. Quia tamen in Conventu praesenti faelicis Coronationis n[ost]rae existen[te] venien[tes] ad praesentiam nostram fideles subditi Armenorum nuncq[ue] Civitatis n[ost]rae Leopolien[sis] suo et communitatis Armenorum ibidem consisten[tium] nomine nobis humiliter supplicarunt ut omnia iura, Privilegia, litteras, libertates, praerogativas, immunitates, ipsis Armenis Leopolien[sibus] et ipsorum communitati a Serenissimis antecessoribus n[ost]ris Regibus aliisq[ue] concessas insuper et consuetudines quibus hucusq[ue] usi sunt specialibus nostris litteris autoritate nostra Regia, approbare, confirmare, et ratificare dignaremur. Nos ipsorum Nunciorum nomine Communitatis Armenorum Leopolien[sium] supplicationi ut iusta aequitatiq[ue] consona benigne annuentes, censen[tes], omnia Privilegia, iura, donationes, litteras, libertates, praerogativas, exemptiones, immunitates, decreta, quib[us] ipsi Armeni eorumq[ue] communitas gaudet, iuste et legitime ipsis per Ser[enissi]mos antecessores n[ost]ros publice et privatim 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[do] in quorum tamen usu hucusq[ue] extiterunt in omnibus earum punctis, clausulis, articulis, et conditionibus, insuper et consuetudines quibus hucusq[ue] usi sunt et utuntur, approban[dum], ratifican[dum] et confirmandum duximus, approbamus, ratificamus, et confirmamus praesentibus litteris nostris, decernen[tes] ea omnia iura, Privilegia, donationes, litteras, libertates, et immunitates ac consuetudines robur debitae et perpetuae firmitatis obtinere debere. Quamobrem universis et singulis cuiuscunq[ue] status, gradus, et conditionis, 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 volentes ut eosdem Armenosq[ue] et eopolien[ses] in omnibus eorum iuribus, Privilegiis, libertatibus, et praerogativis conservetis, manuteneatis, et defendatis ac conservari, manuteneri, defendiq[ue] faciatis. Pro gratia n[ost]ra et debito officiorum vestror[um] secus non facturi. In cuius rei fidem sigillum nostrum praesentibus est subappensum. Datum Cracoviae in Comitiis generalibus augustae Coronationis nostrae die vigesima prima mensis Maii. Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Septuagesimo Sexto, Regni vero n[ost]ri anno primo. Praesentibus Reverendis in Christo patribus dominis Francisco Krasinski Cracovien[si], Alberto Starezebski Chelmen[si], Luca Koscieleczki Plocen[si] Episcopis, Nec non Magnificis Venerabilibus et Generosis Nicolao Dembyenski de Dembiani Castellano Cracovien[si], Petro Zborowski de Rithwiani Palatino et Generali Cracovien[si], Stobniczen[si], Kornohacen[si]q[ue] Capitaneo, Ioanne Kostka a Sthmberg Sandomirien[si] et Mariemburgen[si] etc., Gaspare Zebrzidowski Calissien[si], Ioanne Sierakowski Lancicien[si] et Praedecen[si], Nicolao Barzy de Scecekarzewicze Lublinen[si], ac Pilsnen[si], Andrea de Thanczin Belzen[si], Nicolao Kijka Podlachieh Palatinis et Capitaneis; Tum Stanislao Herborth de Fulsztin Leopolien[si] et Samborien[si] praeposito et ac Zupparum Russiae et Bidgostiae Praefecto, Stanislao Saffraniecz de Pieskowa skala Luccen[si] et Leiovien[si], Andrea Dembovsski Siradien[si] et Lencicien[si], Ioanne a Tenczin Veinieczen[si] et Lublinen[si] Parczowiensi, Nicolao Ligyeza de Bobrek Zavichostien[si] et Biecen[si], Christophoro Lanckorunski de Brzesie Malogostien[si], Ioanne Christophorz de Christophorzicze Wielunen[si], Ioanne Herborth de Fulsztin Sanoceen[si] et Pramislien[si], Paulo Dzialsy[n]ski Dobrzinen[si], Sigismundo Crizowski Belzen[si] Castellanis et Capitaneis; Petro Dunin Wolski Cancellario, Ioanne Zamoyski Vicecancellario ac Belzen[si], Krijssineen[si], Zamechcen[si] Capitaneo, Hieronymo Buzeńnski de Buseńn Thesaurario Regni nostri et Brzesnicen[si], Dopsziczen[si], Krzeczowiensq[ue] Capitaneo ac Zupparum Cracoviensium Praefecto, Andrea de Zborow Curiae Regni no[st]ri Marschalco et Radomien[si] Capitaneo, Stanislao Ossowsski Curiae n[ost]rae Referendario, Erasmo Dembieński de Dembiani Decano Cracovien[si], Cantore Sandomirien[si], Ioanne Borikowski Praeposito Zamicieñ, Ioanne Zaborowski Praeposito Sandomirien[si], Andrea Patricio Nideczki Iuris utriusq[ue] doctore et Archidiacono Vilnen[si] ac Varsavien[si] Canonico, Laurentio Gosliczki Canonico Cracovien[si] et Sandomirien[si], Mathia Nisiomski Burgrabio Cracovien[si], Bartholomaeo Krasimowski, Paulo Rossokowski Secretariis, Curia n[ost]ra ac aliis quam plurimis Dignitariis, officialibus, et aulicis n[ost]ris testibus fidedignis. Datum per manus supranominati Ioannis Zamoyski Regni Poloniae Vicecancellarii ac Belzen[si], Krzissneñ[si], Zamechcen[si] Capitanei syncerè nobis dilecti. [Podpis:] Stephanus Rex ss. [Pod pliką:] Jo. Zaborowski scripsit. [Verso:] Confirm[ati]o iuriu[m] et quaru[m]vis praerogativaru[m] Armenis Leopolien[sibus] conce[ssarum] a D[omi]no Stephano Rege Poloniae. A[nn]o 1576. [Trzy linijki tekstu w alfabecie ormiańskim:] [...] Stephani 1576. No 69. [Inna ręka:] Confirmacio Jurium et Privilegiorum Armenis Leopol[iensibus] [a Stephano Rege] 1576. [Z prawej strony:] Litt: L 1576.