The Union signed on October 2, 1413, in Horodło between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Key provisions included equalizing the rights of Lithuanian boyars with Polish nobility and the adoption of Polish coats of arms by Lithuanian families.
Union of Horodło, concluded on October 2, 1413, is one of the most important legal acts in the history of Polish-Lithuanian relations. This breakthrough event significantly strengthened the bonds between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which were initiated by the Union of Krewo in 1385.
The document signed by King Władysław Jagiełło and Grand Duke Vytautas not only confirmed the existing arrangements but also introduced a number of new constitutional solutions. The most important of these was granting equal rights to Lithuanian boyars with Polish nobility and the adoption of Polish coats of arms by Lithuanian families. It was in Horodło where the foundations for the future Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were laid.
Historical Background of the Union of Horodło
#The beginning of the 15th century was characterized by dynamic changes in relations between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The political situation of this period created favorable conditions for strengthening ties between both states.
Political Situation at the Beginning of the 15th Century
#Central-Eastern Europe at the beginning of the 15th century was shaped by three main factors: the expansion of the Teutonic Order, the threat from the Golden Horde, and the growing influence of the Kingdom of Hungary. The Teutonic Order controlled strategic territories along the Baltic Sea, pursuing an aggressive policy towards Poland and Lithuania. In 1409, the Polish-Teutonic War broke out, ending with the victory at Grunwald in 1410.
Polish-Lithuanian Relations Before 1413
#The connections between Poland and Lithuania were based on earlier agreements:
- Union of Krewo (1385) - the first formal union of both states through the marriage of Jadwiga of Anjou and Władysław Jagiełło
- Union of Vilnius and Radom (1401) - defined Vytautas's position as Grand Duke of Lithuania
- Peace of Thorn (1411) - strengthened Polish-Lithuanian cooperation in the face of the Teutonic threat
Relations between the states required clarification of legal and constitutional matters, particularly regarding the status of Lithuanian boyars.
| Year | Event | Main Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| 1385 | Union of Krewo | Baptism of Lithuania, marriage of Jagiełło and Jadwiga |
| 1401 | Union of Vilnius and Radom | Recognition of Vytautas as Grand Duke of Lithuania |
| 1411 | Peace of Thorn | Recovery of Samogitia, compensation from the Teutonic Knights |
Course of the Congress in Horodło
#The Congress in Horodło gathered representatives of the most important families from Poland and Lithuania, who met to sign three union documents. The ceremony proceeded according to the diplomatic protocol of the time, taking into account the importance of the event and its international character.
Main Participants of the Meeting
#The Horodło Congress was attended by:
-
King Władysław Jagiełło as the highest representative of the Kingdom of Poland
-
Grand Duke Vytautas representing the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
-
47 representatives of Polish noble families
-
43 Lithuanian boyars adopting Polish coats of arms
-
Bishops Wojciech Jastrzębiec of Kraków and Mikołaj of Vilnius
-
Highest state dignitaries from both countries
-
Town of Horodło located on the Bug River at the Polish-Lithuanian border
-
Date of document signing: October 2, 1413
-
Proceedings took place in the local castle and parish church
-
Documents were written in three copies in Latin
-
Union acts were signed in the presence of witnesses from both states
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | October 2, 1413 |
| Number of Polish families | 47 |
| Number of Lithuanian boyars | 43 |
| Number of documents | 3 |
| Language of documents | Latin |
Main Provisions of the Union of Horodło
#The Union of Horodło introduced fundamental changes in the legal and constitutional structure of Polish-Lithuanian relations. The document's provisions included a series of administrative and social reforms that transformed both states.
Adoption of Coats of Arms by Lithuanian Boyars
#The adoption of Polish coats of arms by Lithuanian boyars was a key element of the Union of Horodło. 47 Polish families adopted 43 Lithuanian families into their coats of arms, creating familial bonds between the nobility of both nations. The heraldic adoption process included:
-
Granting specific Polish coats of arms to selected Lithuanian families
-
Equalizing the legal status of adopted boyars with Polish nobility
-
Transferring privileges associated with coat of arms ownership
-
Creating heraldic communities between Polish and Lithuanian families
-
Establishment of Vilnius and Trakai voivodeships
-
Appointment of Vilnius and Trakai castellans
-
Institution of territorial starosts
-
Introduction of the office of land marshal
| Office | Location | Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| Voivode | Vilnius, Trakai | Local administration management |
| Castellan | Vilnius, Trakai | Military command of the castle |
| Starost | Lithuanian lands | Management of grand ducal estates |
| Marshal | Grand Duchy of Lithuania | Direction of grand ducal court |
Effects of the Union
#The Union of Horodło introduced fundamental changes in the socio-political structure of Poland and Lithuania, significantly influencing the further development of both states. The effects of the union included both constitutional reforms and transformations in interstate relations.
Constitutional Changes
#- Creation of Lithuanian voivode offices in Vilnius and Trakai
- Introduction of regional sejmiks in Lithuania
- Establishment of the grand ducal council modeled on the Polish royal council
- Institution of a separate office of the Grand Duke of Lithuania
- Implementation of territorial administration system based on the Polish model
| New offices in Lithuania | Polish equivalent |
|---|---|
| Vilnius Voivode | Kraków Voivode |
| Trakai Castellan | Poznań Castellan |
| Land Marshal | Crown Marshal |
- Adoption of 47 Lithuanian families by Polish heraldic families
- Equalization of rights between Lithuanian boyars and Polish nobility
- Introduction of joint Polish-Lithuanian assemblies
- Strengthening of Lithuania's position against the Teutonic Order
- Creation of foundations for future real union
| Aspect of cooperation | Result |
|---|---|
| Military | Joint defense policy |
| Administrative | Unification of structures |
| Social | Convergence of elites from both states |
Significance of the Union of Horodło in History
#The Union of Horodło of 1413 represents a breakthrough moment in the history of Polish-Lithuanian relations. Its provisions fundamentally transformed the social and political structure of both states, laying the groundwork for the future Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Social Consequences
#The adoption of Polish coats of arms by 47 Lithuanian families led to the formation of the first family ties between the elites of both nations. This process contributed to:
- Creation of a common noble class
- Introduction of a unified system of titles and dignities
- Development of chivalric culture in Lithuanian lands
- Spread of the Latin model of administration
| Social aspect | Before the union | After the union |
|---|---|---|
| Boyar status | Limited rights | Equal rights with Polish nobility |
| Title system | Local | Unified with Polish |
| Adopted families | 0 | 47 |
- Defined the model of interstate cooperation
- Established principles of common foreign policy
- Introduced the concept of dual statehood
- Created foundations for the Union of Lublin of 1569
| Area of influence | Significance |
|---|---|
| Administration | Introduction of voivode and castellan offices |
| Law | Unification of legal system |
| Politics | Joint assemblies and councils |
| Diplomacy | Coordinated foreign policy |
Summary
#- The Union of Horodło was concluded on October 2, 1413, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
- Among the most important provisions were the equalization of rights between Lithuanian boyars and Polish nobility, and the adoption of Polish coats of arms by Lithuanian families
- 47 Polish families and 43 Lithuanian boyars participated in the Horodło congress, and the documents were written in three copies in Latin
- The Union introduced new offices in Lithuania, including the voivodes of Vilnius and Trakai, and an administrative system modeled on the Polish one
- This event laid the foundations for the future Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and significantly strengthened the bonds between both states
Summary
#The Union of Horodło concluded on October 2, 1413, had an enormous impact on shaping Polish-Lithuanian relations. Thanks to the introduced administrative and social reforms, it created solid foundations for future cooperation between both states.
The adoption of Polish coats of arms by Lithuanian boyars and the equalization of their rights with Polish nobility contributed to the formation of strong bonds between the elites of both nations. The introduction of new offices and institutions improved state management and strengthened its structures.
The significance of the Union of Horodło extends far beyond its direct provisions. It was this legal act that laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and shaped a model of cooperation that survived for centuries to come.