THE NOBILITY OF GREATER POLAND AND LESSER POLAND IN THE FACE OF THE DEMANDS OF THE WARSAW CONFEDERATION IN 1610-1632

Abstract

In this article author describes attempts to implement the regulations of Warsaw confederacy in times of Sigismund III Vasa, in post Zebrzydowski Rebellion period. Depiction of this issue is based on activities of Greater Poland and Lesser Poland sejmiks and sejm. It included implementing adequate executive regulations, named process of execution of confederacy, but also agreement between secular state and priesthood. It was meant to resolve disputable issues which rose from reception of Protestantism in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Situation of Commonwealth was not conducive to the implementation of the demands of dissidents. State was involved in numerous military conflicts, what meant that szlachta leaned toward issues of defense of the country. Political power of the dissidents, due to generational changes and multiple successes of Counter-Reformation, was much weaker than during the pre-rebellion period. Because of this they couldn’t achieve their goals. Constitution Of keeping common peace from 1631 can’t be considered as their success, because it was royal initiative meant to safeguard realm from internal strife during nearing interregnum.