Source catalogue

Order to hand over to Jan Tarnowski three falconets out of ten royal cannons stored in Lviv. The cannons deformed in a fire are to be identified by the gunners.

Order to issue three cannons to Jan Tarnowski to supply the royal castle in Stryi. One of the cannons is described as weighing two centners.

An order to carefully secure the belongings of a deceased Turkish merchant pending further instructions. Claimants must present a letter from the Turkish ruler to the King.

Order to hand over 3,000 florins or the maximum possible sum to Stanisław Orlik for the upcoming payment of wages to mercenaries serving in Podolia. The King promises repayment before Easter or earlier.

Following news of a Tatar invasion of the lands of Ruthenia and Podolia, the King dispatches Jan Tarnowski and orders the magistrate to provide him with smaller cannons, weapons, and gunpowder. He announces that he himself will soon follow.

Order to issue three royal cannons to Jan Tarnowski for the castles in Lubaczów and Stryj. They were previously entrusted to the city by Sigismund I during the expedition against the Moldavian voivode named Bogdan.

Order to issue four royal cannons stored in Lviv to Jan Mielecki to strengthen the Chmielnik castle against enemy attacks. The magistrate is released from liability for these cannons.

The King recalls two previous orders to protect the liberties and exemptions granted to Jews from Turkey through the intercession of the Turkish ruler. He demands their execution again, threatens a severe reaction, and requires the removal of the causes of complaints or a written explanation via the bearer.

The King acknowledges that a plot previously granted to Icek does not belong to him, but to the city. He requests the authorities of Lwów to allocate half of the plot facing Jewish Street to his servant for hereditary and perpetual use. He orders it to be measured in the presence of the dispatched bailiff Jakub Szczawiński[?] and promises to reward the city with royal favor.

An order for the immediate execution of a ruling in favor of the Lviv burghers concerning the redemption of the third measure of the Zimna Woda mill and related properties. The King forbids further delays of the execution through appeals; the income is to be used for strengthening the city's defenses.

Sigismund III instructs the authorities of Lwów to hand over the quarter money collected at the town hall to Jakub Pretfic, Starosta of Trembowla, for the pay of the Lower Cossacks. He demands assistance in the rapid dispatch and the provision of horses for transporting the money to Trembowla.

King Sigismund III Vasa thanks the authorities of Lviv for transferring the 'kwarta' funds to the Starosta of Trembowla, Jakub Pretwicz, for the payment of wages to the Lower Cossacks. He also informs them of the order issued to the royal chancellery to prepare an assurance document, guaranteeing the legal security of the city.

King Sigismund III Vasa addresses a letter of credence to the mayor and councilors of Lviv for the Starosta of Trembowla, Jakub Pretficz, who was sent on urgent royal and state business. The monarch orders the councilors to grant the envoy full trust and to comply with the requests he presents.

King Sigismund III Vasa intercedes with the authorities of Lwów on behalf of the local Jews, who are requesting an extension of an expiring trade agreement concluded with the city. The monarch recommends extending the agreement, pointing out that it will not prejudice the city's rights or revenues.

King Sigismund III Vasa orders the mayor and council of Lwów to appoint arbitrators from among the councilors to reach an amicable settlement in a dispute over contracts and mutual accounts between Armenian burghers: Jan and Awedik Bernatowicz and Zachariasz Iwaszkowicz. The settlement is intended to prevent the financial ruin of the parties, but must not violate the validity of previous royal decrees.

Renewed intervention against individuals usurping the status of soldiers and attacking noble and royal estates. The King orders the addressee to cooperate with Jerzy Mniszech; a previous demand to redress grievances and disperse the group was not fulfilled.

Order to cooperate with the Voivode of Sandomierz and the Starosta of Lviv against an armed group raiding noble and royal estates. The second of two surviving, similar copies of the document.

Order to cooperate with the Voivode of Sandomierz and the Starosta of Lviv against an armed group raiding noble and royal estates. The first of two surviving, similar copies of the document.

King Sigismund III Vasa informs the authorities of Lviv that the date of his wedding with Archduchess Constance of Austria has been set for October 30, 1605. The monarch calls upon the proconsul and councilors to send a municipal delegation to the wedding ceremonies in Kraków.

Sigismund III accuses the city authorities of obstructing a settlement between the Jesuits and the Jews. According to the King, the owners of the lands that the Jews wish to purchase for the Jesuits are willing to relinquish them for appropriate compensation, but the city's opposition is blocking the agreement. The King demands that the settlement be brought to fruition.

King Sigismund III Vasa calls upon the mayor and councilors of Lviv to immediately finalize the exchange of plots between the Jesuits and the Jews of Lviv. The monarch entrusted Piotr Ożga, the land judge of Lviv, with presenting detailed proposals to facilitate the resolution of this matter.

Sigismund III recalls that the authorities of Lviv themselves supported the establishment of a Jesuit college. He then accuses them of obstructing the matter and inciting the commoners. He sends delegates to end the obstacles and begin the foundation; he calls for cooperation under threat of royal disfavor.

The King calls upon the authorities of Lviv to execute the arbitrators' decision concerning the foundation of the Jesuit College. He recalls the consent of the city's representatives and his own approval of the settlement, demands an end to the delay, and presents the foundation as an ornament to the city.

The King recalls a previous mandate ordering the execution of a decree regarding the city's dispute with the Jesuits and the fair appraisal of houses they require for construction for the purpose of worship and the education of youth. Outraged by the delay, he demands immediate execution of the decree and warns against further action against the Lviv authorities.

King Sigismund III Vasa orders the authorities and the commonalty of Lwów to urgently fortify the city and gather supplies of ammunition and food in the face of impending danger. He further instructs them to coordinate all defensive actions with the hetman and the starosta in anticipation of the monarch's imminent arrival.

The King recalls a privilege allowing his servant, Domenico Montelupi, to trade in all cities of the Crown and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania throughout the year. The authorities of Lviv restrict him based on their own laws and privileges. The King recommends a settlement without waiting for a royal court ruling and demands again that Montelupi not be prohibited from selling both during and outside of fairs.

King Sigismund III Vasa calls upon the authorities and inhabitants of Lwów to prepare for defense against the approaching threat from pagan forces. He simultaneously informs them of entrusting the supreme command and authority over the defense to the Starosta of Lwów, ordering the magistrate to cooperate closely with him.

King Sigismund III Vasa informs the magistrate of Lviv about the failed assassination attempt on his life by Michał Piekarski, assuring them that the injuries sustained do not pose a threat to his health. He orders this news to be announced to the city's residents to prevent the spread of false rumors and potential riots.

King Sigismund III Vasa announces his arrival in Lwów during a military campaign and orders the city authorities to provide an escort for the royal quartermaster. At the same time, he forbids the townspeople from providing quarters or storing supplies for dignitaries without the knowledge of the monarch's envoy.

Following a complaint from members of the community and explanations from the magistrate, the King orders the resolution of disputes and the observance of privileges, decrees, and amicable settlements. Income granted to the city by a recent privilege is to be used for the public good, not for private gain.

King Sigismund III Vasa responds to a petition from the burghers of Lwów, acknowledging that their complaints have been sufficiently explained by the municipal office. He calls upon the city authorities and the commonalty to remain calm and to observe the applicable privileges, decrees, and ancient customs in harmony.

The King reprimands Lwów for failing to send representatives to the parliamentary commission tasked with setting prices. Arguments sent in writing should have been presented by delegates. Separately, he assures the supervision of commissioners over the conduct of soldiers and orders the authorities to ensure the safety of the city.

The King allocates the estate of a locksmith who died without issue to the completion of the town hall tower. He requires the funds to be used for the public good and accounted for before commissioners.

King Sigismund III Vasa calls upon the Castellan of Bełz, Stanisław Żórawiński, to settle a border dispute between his estates and the city of Lwów. He orders him, in accordance with a tribunal decree, to contribute to a fair and damage-free demarcation of the disputed lands.

The King receives frequent complaints from the burghers of Lwów against the Starosta Stanisław Bonifacy Mniszek. Before proceeding to execute the parliamentary and court decrees, he asks Bishop Achacy Grochowski to admonish the Starosta and bring about a reconciliation with the city, while preserving and expanding the city's liberties according to a recently granted privilege.

The King orders the Lviv magistrate to strictly observe monetary universals. He mentions Jews, Scots, and others dealing in money, who are forbidden from trading in ducats and thalers contrary to the law, or buying them up for export. He prohibits the import and sale of the specified foreign currency. The office is to punish offenders without delay; negligence or toleration of violations will result in the city authorities themselves being held liable.

King Sigismund III Vasa instructs his envoy Adam Kisiel before the district sejmik in Zhytomyr. He urges him to persuade the local nobility to reach an agreement with other voivodeships and to take action to save the Fatherland in the face of urgent state necessity.

The King expects an amicable resolution of disputes between Doctor Marcin Campian, a member of the Lwów authorities, and various offices and private individuals. The parties are to jointly appoint honest burghers who will lead to a settlement without violating the city's rights. The King also informs about a separate letter to the Archbishop of Lwów.

Spytko of Tarnów and Jarosław, acting at the request of the Lviv city councilors executing the will of the deceased burgher Leonard, assumes patronage over an altar founded in the Lviv Cathedral and secures an annual rent of ten grzywnas from the Jarosław customs duties for its maintenance. In return, he imposes strict liturgical duties on the altarist, including the celebration of weekly masses for the soul of the founder and his relatives.

At the request of the Uniate and non-Uniate Ruthenians, the King schedules a general synod in Lviv for October 28, 1629. The city authorities are to ensure the safety of the participants, prevent riots, cooperate with the royal envoy, and assist the Metropolitan of Kyiv. They should designate quarters and lodging for the clergy and other participants in advance.

The King considers a complaint from the burghers of Lwów against lustration commissioners who, under the pretext of the new 'kwarta' tax, are imposing previously unknown burdens and duties towards the castle. He explains that the lustration applies to the estates of starostas and leaseholders, not to municipal property and its income. He orders the removal of unlawful burdens or an explanation for their imposition, recalling previous warnings.

The King responds to a complaint from the burghers of Lwów regarding new obligations entered into the lustration records. He orders that merchants and craftsmen not be burdened beyond the law and that such entries be removed, despite extracts having already been issued to the starosta.

The King authorizes the use of cash from the deposit of the Voivode of Kiev to cover the shortfall in military funding. The release requires security provided by the commissioners and the consent of the Crown Subchamberlain as tutor; jewels and other items are to remain in the deposit.

The Prince accepts the armorer Stanisław Sołtysowicz into his service. He requests the city authorities' benevolence, freedom to earn additional income from selling beverages, and a reduction in rent for the municipal grinding mill, whose operations are interrupted by the draining of the pond, lack of water, and repairs to the embankment.

The Prince orders the release of two cannons entrusted to the city to Stanisław Kazanowski, requests a short-term loan of 200 cannonballs and the necessary amount of gunpowder, and asks for assistance with transport.

The Bishop of Przemyśl, Jan, together with the Chapter, releases and acquits the councilors and burghers of Lwów from the repayment of a debt incurred from the late Bishop Maciej, due to the transfer of these funds directly to King Władysław Jagiełło. The issuers renounce all further financial claims and declare the existing debt obligations void and cancelled.

King Augustus II orders the authorities of Lviv to allow troops assigned to the defense of the fortress under the command of the Voivode of Kalisz to enter. He also calls upon the magistrate to gather food supplies and prepare the city for defense against the enemy.

King Władysław III forbids royal officials from interfering with the judgments of the Lwów bench court and establishes Lwów as the higher court of law for all cities and villages of the Ruthenian land. He also grants the city the right to pursue, capture, judge, and punish criminals throughout the entire Ruthenian land.

King Władysław III of Varna permits the councilors and commonalty of the city of Lwów to present their city laws, immunities, and privileges exclusively before his royal presence. He thereby exempts the city from the obligation to present these documents to voivodes, castellans, starosts, or other officials of the Kingdom of Poland until his personal arrival in Lwów.

The mayor and councilors of Kałusz certify the receipt of a royal universal concerning a donation of one hundred thousand zlotys for the needs of the monarch and the state. They also confirm the receipt of an attached letter from the municipal authorities of Lviv.