REPRESENTATIVE SPENDINGS OF THE MAGISTRATE IN 1577-1583. ON THE EXAMPLE OF LVIV WEEKLY-EXPENDITURES BOOKS

Abstract

The article analyzes the books of Lviv weekly expenditures. The author has found out that during the period 1577–1583 the funds that were spent on gifts, first of all, wine, elite Lviv fish, oriental goods, precious silver and gold products, were allocated from the city treasury. In Lviv the second half of16th century the gift of wine was an integral part of city politics. The author identifies the costs of 1) wine shipped to the Diet and the royal tribunal; 2) wine for greetings of the most respected persons of the Commonwealth during their arrival or passage through the city (king, voivode, bishop, castle); 3) wine for the so-called "own" persons - the voivodship of Ruthenian and Podilsky, the Lviv elder, the Zemstvo and Grodno judges of the Rus' voivodeship; 4) wine for congratulation on the marriage or birth of children of the state's distinguished persons. The gifts played an essential role in maintaining the social and political network of the city, with their help, the city community managed to solve various problems and to maintain their honour and reputation. The author tries to confirm these theses with specific facts. For example, he states that for the period 1577–1583 the books of city expenditures mention three trips of Lviv rays to meetings of the Seimas. The total cost of a trip to Warsaw in December 1579 amounted to 1002 PLN. 8 ½ gr. The author does not exclude the possibility that one of the consequences of the trip could have been the granting of the privilege of Stefan Batory Lviv to levy a tax on lemons and wines brought to the city. During a trip to the Seimas in 1582, 1212 PLN was spent on gifts, travel, wine-making, payment for accommodation for Lviv rays. 12 gr. The trip resulted in the abolition of the toll, which the king and the Diet had set to raise money to continue the war with Muscovy. Based on the analysis of the available information, the author finds that the Lviv rayons maintained close relations with the highest officials of the Commonwealth and other representatives of their interests, and through gifts and representation, influenced the status and status of their city.