Source catalogue

Maintaining friendship and diplomatic contacts through envoys.

A letter to the magistrate and residents of Lwów. Khmelnytsky declares that he did not desire the shedding of Christian blood, mentions the defeat of the Crown forces at Gródek, and demands a swift response and submission. The exact wording of several sentences requires further reading.

A renewed summons to declare submission; a promise to preserve liberties and property, with mention of Muscovite troops and previous privileges.

A call for the city to submit and a refusal to provide hostages to secure the travel of its delegation. A promise of safety and health upon the demonstration of humility.

Favorable reception of the city delegation, an initial oral response, and a summons for representatives to return the following morning. The discrepancy in the date header in the edition has been noted.

Postponement of the response until the following day after a night council with all the military elders; summons for the city delegation to return as early as possible in the morning.

Confirmation of the fulfillment of promises and a summons to send envoys the following day.

Surprise at the interruption of negotiations and a request for a clear answer as to whether the city still wishes to engage in talks.

Sending back the temporarily detained envoys and inviting them the next day for a final answer.

Sending back the envoys with written terms and awaiting a response to the submitted declaration.

Confirmation of the delivery of the declaration and terms to the city delegates; a request for a response by the following day and readiness to consider further requests.

News about the capture of Kraków by the Swedes; assurance of an alliance between the Cossacks, Muscovy, and the Swedes, and information regarding the dispatch of Mikołaj Grodzicki for negotiations.

Sending men for the agreed ransom ("honorarium"); an order for a quick dispatch and for the city to send a dozen or so people.

Letter of recommendation for Pavlo Teteria, scribe of the Zaporozhian Host, traveling to the King; a request for kindness and assistance from the Mayor.

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.

The King granted Jerzy Aichinger, his chamberlain, real estate on Jewish Street in Lwów, which had passed to the royal treasury by right of escheat (ius caducum) following the death of the former owners. He orders the municipal authorities to allow him free possession and to ensure that no one interferes with him.

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.

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.