Urzędy wójtowskie w rękach małopolskich Gryfitów w XV wieku. Analiza źródłowa

Abstract

The situation of medieval knights holding the office of governors – heads of villages – was not exceptional. The Gryfits from Lesser Poland were one of this kind of family. The author has occupied himself with the history of this House for some time, paying attention especially to matters connected with the recognition of the Gryfits and the Houses of Lisowie and Wierzbnowie as Pomeranian princes, and all of them as the second branch of the dynasty ruling in Poland. In this publication, profiles of chosen members of the family, ones who served the office of governors in different contexts, are described. Each of the above-mentioned examples presents a different situation, for instance: when a knight could attain an influential position at the royal court, yet the titular office was burdened with specific circumstances. First he was the plenipotentiary of the governor’s wife, then after the governor’s death (in rather mysterious circumstances), he became the husband to the widow and took over the late Governor’s post. Still, this is – as it seems – the timeless problem of sentiment, faithfulness and betrayal. Thus, succession and transferability of the Governor’s office was also thoroughly discussed.