Period of Lithunian and Polsih rule (1360-1599), Детальна інформація

Report:

PERIOD OF LITHUANIAN AND POLISH RULE

(1360-1599)

Roman Balan

Lutsk - 2002



The Lithuanian princes were reasonable rulers; in some cases they

assimilated - adopted local customs, language and religion. People did

not resist them and appreciated their protection from Poland, Moscow and

Tatars. However, under Polish rule, western Ukraine was subjected to

exploitation and colonization by influx of people from Poland and

Germany, who were taking over property and offices from local boyars.

There was a period of wars between Poland and Lithuania, but on

15th August 1385 they agreed to unite their kingdoms. In 1386 Polish

queen Yadwiga was forced to marry Lithuanian prince Yahaylo, who thus

became King of Poland and Lithuania.

In 1400 Lithuania, together with its Ukrainian principalities,

separated under king Vitowt - Yahaylo's cousin. This arrangement was

opposed by Yahaylo's younger brother, Svytryhaylo. Ukrainian

principalities under Vitowt were loosing their national character and

independence to Polish influences. In 1413 a decision was made to allow

only Catholics to occupy important government positions ("Horodlo

Privilege"); wide spread discrimination against Orthodox population

followed. Nearly all Ukrainians in those days were Orthodox, therefore

Ukrainian princes and boyars were helping Svytryhaylo in his fight with

Vitowt. After Vitowt died in 1430, Svytryhaylo defended himself from

Poles, but by the year 1440 his sphere of influence was reduced to

Volynj principality.

There was a period of hostilities between Lithuania and Moscow,

when about 1480 several principalities in eastern Ukraine were annexed