Source catalogue

King Sigismund II Augustus exempts the burghers of Lwów from the general duty of providing transport for royal messengers, transferring this burden to the castle villages. At the same time, he orders the payment of 400 florins from the 'szos' tax to the Crown Treasury, leaving the remainder for the city's needs.

King Sigismund II Augustus confirms three ancient commission documents from the years 1440, 1442, and 1464 concerning the delimitation of the estates of the Lviv Metropolitan Chapter (Wierzbiąż and Kahujów) with the royal villages of Honiatycze and Czerkasy. The confirmed acts award the disputed lands to the Chapter and impose perpetual silence on their lessees.

Grand Chancellor of the Crown Tomasz Zamoyski calls upon the authorities of Lviv to cease hindering the passage of Zamość merchants trading in Podolia. In particular, he intercedes for the merchant Peter Franck, demanding his unhindered passage and pointing out the losses he suffered due to the detention of his goods.

King Sigismund II Augustus sentences in absentia the customs collector Melchior Kośla to a fine of 3000 marks for the benefit of the authorities and commonalty of Lwów due to his failure to appear in court and take an oath. At the same time, the monarch confirms the total exemption of Lwów burghers from all customs duties within the Crown and its subordinate lands.

The document certifies the sale of a plot of arable land and a vineyard in the village of Carzano by Giovanni, son of the late miller Simone, to Giovanni Battista Buffa for the sum of twelve and a half gold florins. The seller acknowledges receipt of the full payment, transfers possession rights, and commits to legally defending the transaction against potential claims by third parties.

King Sigismund Augustus confirms the document of the Archbishop of Lwów, Stanisław Słomowski, and the metropolitan chapter, granting the nobleman Jan Sadłowski the wójtostwo in the deserted village of Taurów in the Trembowla district, with the right to settle peasants and cottagers, a twelve-year tax exemption (wolnizna), and an endowment of four hides of land, a mill, and an inn.

Lviv Archbishop Stanisław Słomowski grants the Lviv Cathedral Chapter a perpetual monetary tithe, known as 'biskupizna', collected from Lviv and surrounding villages. In exchange for the transferred income, the chapter is obliged to perform services and prayers for the archbishop's intention during his lifetime and after his death.

King Stefan Batory approves the commission act establishing the valuation of income and executing the redemption of the third share of the Zimna Woda mill in the Lwów suburb by the Castellan of Sieradz, Andrzej Dembowski, from the heirs of Kazimierz Hynek for the sum of 4684 florins. He grants Dembowski the right to peaceful possession of the mill until such time as it might be redeemed by the King for the same sum.

Petter Sommerwell expresses his regret over the arrest of his person and goods in Lublin at the request of Arthur Forbes, explaining the state of their mutual accounts and the difficulties in selling his property. He asks the addressee for consideration, repayment within reasonable limits, and proposes an amicable settlement of the dispute with the help of mutual acquaintances.

King Stephen Báthory transumes his edict of February 20, 1577, in which he cancels all commissions appointed to investigate the complaints of the commoners against the Lwów magistrate and reserves the case exclusively for the royal court under a penalty of 15,000 ducats. He orders both parties to appear with evidence before the monarch's court, prohibiting any conflicts or violations of legal order in the meantime.

Jona Israelowic informs Peter Simson that a local Armenian has sent 275 pieces to his account with the principal. He asks the addressee to collect the shipment, issue a receipt, and announces a final settlement upon his arrival.

King Stephen Báthory resolves a dispute between the authorities and commonalty of Lwów and Starosta Mikołaj Herburt and the tax collector, ruling that the city is obligated to pay only a double tax rate, which includes the suburbs and city fields. The monarch forbids the collection of a separate tax on city lands and craft workshops, annulling the previous judgments of the starosta.

Jacob Carmichel informs Arthur Forbes about the difficulties in collecting money from Lviv through Peter Benson and asks for support to avoid the need for a personal trip. He also refers to the matter of payment from Thomas Bondy in Lublin and the issue of transporting goods through Mościska.

Jacob Carmichell thanks Arthur Forbes for fulfilling a financial payment order for Peter Benson and inquires about his further plans after his trip to Gdańsk. The author also requests the shipment of Turkish cloth and a snuffbox.

King Stefan Batory approves the statutes of the carpenters' guild in Lviv, originally granted in 1562 by the city council, comprising twenty-three articles regulating the organization of the craft, apprenticeship, and the rights of masters and journeymen. Simultaneously, the monarch grants the Lviv carpenters' guild the same rights as the Krakow guild and prohibits 'partacze' (unauthorized craftsmen) and non-guild artisans from practicing the craft and selling their products within the city and its surroundings.

Jacob Koller confirms to Peter Forbes the receipt of 550 florins in orts delivered by Thomas Taylor and sends an invoice for goods sent to Jarosław. He requests the settlement of the remaining amount to Jacob Thonart and mentions the favor of the customs clerk.

Jacob Koller reports to Peter Forbes on the customs clearance and inspection of a cloth shipment in Toruń, providing a detailed breakdown of fees and surcharges assessed by the customs clerk. He informs about the successful passage of part of the cargo duty-free and sends a money order for 390 Polish zlotys and 24 groszy.

Castellan of Kraków Stanisław Koniecpolski recommends Peter Role, who is moving to Lwów, to the city authorities. He asks the magistrate to kindly accept him into the circle of citizens and grant him city rights.

Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski recommends Peter Role to the authorities of Lviv, attesting to his merits and virtues. He asks the councilors to willingly admit him to the city rights.

G. Lewicki intercedes with the president of the Lviv magistrate on behalf of the imprisoned Jan Kowal, asking for a pardon due to urgent treasury work. In a postscript, the author also mentions settling the matter of his wheelwright.

David Livingston informs the merchant Arthur Forbes in Mościska about handing over tribunal summons to the advocate Cimanowicz in Przemyśl, sending a bailiff to the defendant, and the incurred castle court and messenger costs.

King Władysław IV Vasa approves the act of foundation and endowment of the scholastery at the metropolitan cathedral in Lviv, established by Father Jan Karol Czołhański from estates in the Żydaczów district, and confirmed by Archbishop Stanisław Grochowski and the Lviv chapter. The monarch incorporates the granted villages into the ecclesiastical immunity for all time.

King John II Casimir extends the scope of the Lviv shooting brotherhood's right to collect a pasture fee on driven cattle to a distance of twelve miles from the city and grants the brotherhood the right to collect one grosz for every one hundred florins of the value of merchant goods. The privilege is a reward for the services of the brotherhood's members in repelling the recent siege of Lviv by Cossack forces.

King John Casimir approves the internal ordinance of the Lviv college of assessors, regulating their judicial and ceremonial duties, the management of the common chest, and the discipline of members under penalty of fines and loss of the right to promotion to the city council.

King Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki confirms five previous royal privileges (including those of John Casimir, Henry of Valois, and Sigismund III) for the Shooting (Kurkowe) Brotherhood in Lwów. These documents guarantee the brotherhood, among other things, the collection of a fee called "spaszne" from driven cattle, income from the Samostrzelnicza Tower, land in the Halicki suburb for a shooting range, and tax exemptions.

King John III Sobieski preserves and strengthens the rights of Iwan and Maksym Szurmin, Iwan Paszenicowy, and Iwan Borkowy to the wybraniecki hide in the village of Hubicze in the Drohobycz starosta district. The document exempts them from burdensome duties, while imposing the obligation to provide and equip one soldier for the wybraniecka infantry.

King John III Sobieski extends royal protection to Greek merchants, shielding them from oppression and unlawful claims by the Lviv interpreter Wartana Szymonowicz, who used a fraudulently obtained privilege. The monarch orders a halt to all harassment of the merchants at trade fairs until the case is finally resolved before the royal court.

J. L. Nowicki informs the Lwów councilors about delivering a letter with the city's demands to the Grand Crown Chancellor. He notes that an additional oral presentation of the matter to the Chancellor is necessary to reach final decisions.

King John III Sobieski confirms the privilege of Sigismund III Vasa from 1612, which contains the confirmation of the statutes of the Lwów surgeons' guild from 1611. The document regulates the admission and examination of new masters, the rights of widows, the duties of journeymen and apprentices, and the prohibition of unauthorized competition by non-guild members (partacze).

King Augustus II confirms the ancient privileges of the Polish monarchs granted to the Shooting (Kurkowe) Brotherhood in Lwów, regulating the brotherhood's income, tax exemptions for the 'Shooting King', and the organization of shooting exercises. He also orders the return of the shooting range (Celstat) area occupied by the Crown artillery and establishes an annual schedule for exercises with handguns, arquebuses, and cannons.

King Augustus III confirms the ancient privileges and immunities of the Shooting Brotherhood of the city of Lwów, granted and confirmed by his predecessors: Sigismund Augustus, Henry Valois, Sigismund III, John Casimir, Michael Korybut, John III Sobieski, and Augustus II. The confirmation includes, among others, the collection of a fee called 'szpaszne', a share in customs revenues, tax privileges and exemptions for the Shooting King, the order of shooting exercises, and the return of the occupied shooting range (celstat).

Andrzej Pawłowski reports to the Lviv scribe Wojciech Zimnicki on conversations with servants and craftsmen, including attempts to persuade Szymon to return to service. He also reports on furs purchased by Mr. Łukasz and asks for the mother to be provided for in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Charles Paip informs Arthur Forbes about the difficulties in collecting debts from Jewish debtors in Lviv and about the preparation and transfer of 2500 coins of current currency via a messenger. He also reports the deduction of expenses and announces his imminent departure for Gdańsk.

Abbot de Polignac refers the Voivode of Volhynia to a parallel letter addressed to the Grand Crown Hetman and appeals for cooperation in the election of a new monarch. He declares his deep attachment to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and his concern for its internal peace and international standing.

Father Teodor Potocki sends brief expressions of respect to Jan Stanisław Jabłonowski, referring to previously written news. He also apologizes for the brevity of the letter caused by a complete lack of time.

Teodor Potocki reports to the Ruthenian Voivode Jan Stanisław Jabłonowski on disputes and relations with the General, as well as the efforts of the Starosta of Żydaczów. He also informs about the progress in obtaining consent and overseeing the formalities related to the cession of the Mościska starosty.

Antoni Świdziński demands that the city authorities of Lwów immediately settle his financial claims, authorizing Mr. Falkowski to collect them due to his own departure for the Sejm in Warsaw. In return, he offers to support the city's interests at the Sejm, while warning of the consequences in case of a refusal to pay.

Krzysztof Fabrytz informs Artur Forbes that the three pieces of linen entrusted to him are still in Warsaw due to a lack of wagoners. He declares that he will send the material to Jarosław at the first convenient opportunity as soon as he receives it.

The Castellan of Lwów, Jerzy Bogusław Fredro, appeals to the Castellan of Kraków, Feliks Potocki, for assistance in apprehending Marcin Waśniowski, his former ward who was sentenced by the Crown Tribunal for an attempt on his life. Fredro proposes that Potocki write a private letter to his relative, Prince Janusz Wiśniowiecki, to have the criminal, who is serving in the Lithuanian army, sent to Lwów under a pretext so that justice may be served.

James Chambers describes his dramatic financial situation, poor health, and economic losses to Arthur Forbes. He also complains about a costly lawsuit and the burdens of supporting his family, asking his friend for understanding and support.

Jan Ciechowicz reports to Franciszek Głogowski on the course of the coronation of Augustus II in Kraków, the distribution of offices, and the resistance of the supporters of Primate Radziejowski. He also conveys news about the rout of the Turkish army at Petrovaradin and Zenta, as well as local skirmishes near Kamieniec.

Crown Chancellor Jan Szembek supports the efforts of Father Jełowicki, nominee for the suffragan bishopric of Lviv, to obtain the vacant cathedral provostship in Lviv. He requests the municipal authorities, who hold the right of patronage and collation of this benefice, to favorably consider this candidacy.

Aleksander Jan Jabłonowski informs his brother about the maneuvers of Augustus II's troops and foreign reinforcements against the supporters of Prince Conti, as well as the financial difficulties hindering the departure of the Crown troops. He asks the recipient to maintain confidentiality and burn the letter after reading.

The Russian Consulate in Brody warns the embassy in Vienna against Piotr Zabierzewski, a valet using a misappropriated bill of exchange belonging to Count Poniński, who, after being refused a Russian visa in Brody, announced his intention to seek one in the Austrian capital.