Lithuanian Council of Lords

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The Lithuanian Council of Lords (Lithuanian: Ponų taryba) was the main permanent institution of central government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania active in its capital city of Vilnius.[1]

It had originated from the advisory Council of the Grand Duke, established by

Poland, but it continued to operate de facto until the mid-17th century.[2][3]

Competence

The Council carried out the functions of the Grand Duke after his death and had a supreme authority in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until a new Grand Duke was appointed, as well as organised his appointment. The first appointed ruler was Casimir Jagiellon, who in exchange expanded the council's powers significantly and approved the

Lithuanian Statute of 1529 confirmed its administrative powers, as well as granted legislative powers, exercised together with the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The council's legislative powers were limited under the subsequent edition of the Lithuanian Statute of 1566, as a result of a growing role of szlachta
and its Sejms.

The Council carried out executive functions in the state since 1445 because the majority of Lithuanian Grand Dukes resided in Poland. It also convoked the

Lithuanian Seimas
.

Composition

The council had 35 – 50 permanent members as of 1529. It consisted of the most prominent representatives of the

Grand Chancellor of Lithuania. Since the 16th century, these members comprised a Secret Council which was a de facto core of the Council of Lords, dealing with all crucial state affairs, since the full membership of the council was rarely convened. A majority of the members were Roman Catholic ethnic Lithuanians;[4] however, the influence of Ruthenian
magnates was constantly increasing.

The highest ranked statesmen in the Lithuanian Council of Lords were voivodes of

Grand Duke of Lithuania) were the third most important.[5]

References

  1. ^ Gudavičius, Edvardas; Jasas, Rimantas. "Ponų Taryba". Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania before 1569". lrs.lt. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Seimas Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje iki 1569 m.: bendroji apžvalga". lrs.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  4. ^ (in Lithuanian) Council of Lords in the State Affairs, by Jūratė Kiaupienė.
  5. ^ Gudavičius, Edvardas. "Žemaitijos seniūnija". Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 11 March 2023. Seniūnas turėjo vaivados teises (Ponų Taryboje pagal rangą ėjo po Vilniaus ir Trakų vaivadų). Jį rinko žemaičių bajorai, didysis kunigaikštis tik tvirtino.

Sources

See also

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