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Jezuici w Inflantach i w Kurlandii (1700–1773). Między wielką polityką a elitą lokalną

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Mariani A.

Zapiski Historyczne

2012

vol. 77

issue 4

113-138

This article constitutes an attempt to analyze the mutual influence between the Jesuits and Livonian-Courlandish magnates in the 18th century, with particular emphasis on Jelgava (Mitau) and Daugavpils (Dunaburg). Special emphasis was given to the foundation activity of individual Livonian families such as the Lievens, the Lascys, the Platers and the Zyberks, as well as to the development of pastoral work conducted by the Jesuits in the area. The choice of the towns is justified by the comparative possibilities : the development of the Jesuits‘ institutions was determined by a local social-legal situation. On the one hand, the communities of both historical regions – Courland and Polish Livonia – were characterized by ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity. On the other hand, due to a specific situation of Courland on the international scene, its legal and political conditions differed considerably from the ones of Livonia. While in the former the middle Luteran szlachta (nobility) maintained a very strong sense of religious identity during the analyzed period, the latter was marked by the re-Catholicisation from the mid-17th century. The phenomenon was connected with the conversion into Catholicism (mainly in the 17th century) of the representatives of the most important noble families in Livonia. Thanks to their support, the Jesuits could extend their influence also on the population of Latvia, or inhabitants of Lithuanian or Polish origin (invited as a result of the settlement policy begun by the magnates). It took place through parish service not so much in the monastic estates, but more in missionary stations founded by the rich nobility. The phenomenon was favoured by the fact that the Jesuits spoke foreign languages, which made them a desirable replacement for diocese priests, the number of whom was scarce. It may be assumed that thanks to close relations with the local elites the Livonian-Courlandish Jesuits played a major role in the attempt to introduce a cultural (and to some extent also political) integration of the northeast parts of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

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1 Zapiski Historyczne

1 Mariani A.

1 2012

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Jezuici w Inflantach i w Kurlandii (1700–1773). Między wielką polityką a elitą lokalną