The Leaders of the Town Populace During the Civil Protests in Lviv in 1576–1577

Abstract

In the second half of the seventies of the 16^th century Lviv became the arena of the civil protests against the authority of the Town Council. The main causes of the conflict were the internal situation of the town and the functioning of its municipalities. Counsellors did not try to make conversations with representatives of the opposition, offended them, and even threatened with punishment. It was the reason for the populace to address a complaint to the king. Several people (Jan Zaidlicz, Jakub Soszka, Jan Szulczik, Jan Ganszorn, Jan Niedźwiedź, Jan Orzeszek), who represented the community of the Lviv townsfolk at sessions of the Court in Lviv and at the Royal Court, took the lead of the townsfolk opposition during the course of events. They were rather rich but, at the same time, didn’t have the authority in the town. Apparently, the main reason for these people engaged themselves in the organization of the townsfolk movement against the authorities was the desire to join the power elite, or to eliminate barriers between the elite and the townsfolk. This movement got the support among many groups of Lviv inhabitants.