Artur Goszczyński

The political activity of Adam Kazanowski (1599–1649)
Adam Kazanowski and his entire political career was closely associated with king Władysław IV (Ladislaus IV Vasa). As the monarch’s favorite, and since 1637 also one of the senators, Kazanowski became involved in issues relating to the state’s policy. Due to his close relations with the king and consequently his royalist views, he often identified with the opinions represented by the monarch and sided with his will. Yet on some occasions, Kazanowski’s attitude was far removed from the views represented by the monarch. Being close to the monarch’s inner circle, he participated in the majority of Parliament sessions (Diet sessions) during the reign of Władysław IV. Shortly after the monarch’s death, he was also involved in political issues associated with Chmielnicki’s Uprising. Yet due to the unfavorable attitude of king Jan Kazimierz (John II Casimir Vasa) and the continually worsening state of his health, his political activity became considerably less intense. The one-time king’s favorite ended his life not long afterwards, on 25 December 1649.

Międzynarodowa konferencja „Nowożytny człowiek: przestrzeń, władza, prawo w XVI–XVIII wieku” (Kijów, 12–13 września 2013 roku)

Refugees from South-Eastern Provinces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the first stage of the Chmielnicki Uprising
The uprising ignited by Bohdan Chmielnicki had a multidimensional effect on the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. One of its consequences was the migration of population forced by Cossaks’ actions. The gentry inhabiting the southeastern parts of the country had to flee inland fearful for their lives. Jews, who were a group prone to being persecuted by Cossacks, acted in a similar way. Refugees from the Ukrainian provinces first fled to the neighbouring city fortresses which, however, capitulated under the siege of the rebels. People who survived the slaughter, usually carried out by the Cossacks, tried to reach the central part of the country hoping to escape the rebels’ sabres and spring guns.

About Jeremi Wiśniowiecki’s Expedition to the Tartar Steppes in 1647

Although much space in historical literature was devoted to Jeremi Wiśniowiecki, some aspects of his political and military activities are still uncertain. One of them is the issue of his expedition to the Tartar steppes conducted in the autumn of 1647. Historians claim that this event was consulted with the King, who was facing the failure of his war plans against the Ottomans and tried to provoke the Tartars belonging to the Horde to attack the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, no documents survive that could confirm that thesis. On the other hand, this scenario is based on an exemption of Mikołaj Potocki, commanded to Wiśniowiecki in November 1647. According to the information contained in this source, the Governor was not able to come due to the King’s command, ordering him to support the army on the Left-bank Ukraine.