Memory, Identity, and Governance in Early Modern Poland-Lithuania

In the early modern period, Poland–Lithuania stood as a realm where the echoes of a storied past intertwined with the ambitions of a dynamic present. This volume illuminates how its diverse populace navigated the complexities of their shared heritage, weaving tradition with innovation to craft a uniquely multi-layered identity. The essays presented here examine the dual nature of historical inheritance in this vast polity. On the one hand, the past served as a treasure trove of enduring ideas, compelling narratives, and time-tested practices that enriched cultural and political life. On the other, it posed formidable challenges, requiring creative adaptation to meet the demands of changing times. By exploring established narratives, performative traditions, and historical frameworks, the contributors uncover the intricate ways in which memory influenced decision-making and societal evolution. They reveal how the past was neither static nor simply an obstacle, but was an active force that shaped contemporary aspirations and inspired visions of the future. Through the lenses of rulers, nobles, intellectuals, and commoners, this collection offers fresh perspectives on how the people of Poland–Lithuania harnessed the power of history to craft a legacy that transcended their era. Essential reading for scholars and enthusiasts alike, this work examines the enduring dialogue between memory and identity in one of Europe’s most compelling early modern states.

The Composite Nature of Poland-Lithuania: Political, Cultural, and Social Dynamics in Early Modern East Central Europe
Katarzyna Kuras and Krzysztof Fokt

Part I. The Glorious Past in the Collective Memory and Political Practice

Chapter 1. Between Myth and History: The Sarmatian Narrative of Poland-Lithuania
Joanna Orzeł

Chapter 2. Voices on an Extinct Dynasty: The Jagiellons in the Political Writings of the First Interregnum
Marek Ferenc

Chapter 3. A Phronetic Journey Through Poland’s Memorial Landscape
Iwona Barwicka-Tylek

Part II. Legacies and Identities of the Regions and Provinces and their Developments

Chapter 4. The Transformation of Legacy: How the Ukrainian Cossacks Adapted the Traditions of Rus’ and Poland-Lithuania
Viktor Brekhunenko

Chapter 5. Cultural and Political Dualities: Livonia’s Integration and Identity within Poland-Lithuania
Bogusław Dybaś

Chapter 6: Lithuanian Sejmiks: Defending Lithuanian Independence and Equality with Poland, 1697–1763
Andrei Matsuk

Part III. The History and Memory of Institutions

Chapter 7. The Liberum Veto and the Parliamentary System of Poland-Lithuania: Historiography’s Struggles with a Challenging Legal Legacy
Tomasz Kucharski

Chapter 8. Local Governance and Civic Engagement: The Role of Sejmiks in Poland-Lithuania
Michał Zwierzykowski

Chapter 9. The Seventeenth-Century Wars in Polish Historical Consciousness: Myths, Realities, and Legacies
Zbigniew Hundert

Part IV. The Res Publicae of the Commoners: Memory, Social Practice, and Cohesion in the Towns and Villages

Chapter 10. The Heritage of Everyday Life: Legal Culture in the Towns and Cities of Early Modern Poland
Maciej Mikuła

Chapter 11. Local Heritage: The Sources of Identity of the Peasantry and Petty Townsfolk in pre-Partition Poland-Lithuania
Mateusz Wyżga

Part V. Cultural Practices and Their Developments: Communication, Education, Healthcare

Chapter 12. Domestic and Foreign Travels of Inhabitants of Poland-Lithuania as Forms of Exploring and Preserving Cultural Heritage and Elements of Social Communication
Adam Kucharski

Chapter 13. Balancing Tradition and Influence: Noblewomen in the Social Fabric of Early Modern Poland
Agnieszka Jakuboszczak

Chapter 14. Health, Illness, and Medical Treatments in Early Modern Poland-Lithuania
Katarzyna Pękacka-Falkowska and Jakub Węglorz

Part VI. Intact Deposits of Faith? Religious Developments in Poland-Lithuania

Chapter 15. Confessional Divisions and the Evolution of Worship in Royal Prussia
Sławomir Kościelak

Chapter 16. Holiday Customs and Catholic Reformers in Eighteenth-Century Poland-Lithuania: The Story of Religious Heritage Resilience
Stanisław Witecki

Glossary of Offices

Index