Effectiveness of the Initiatives of Chernihiv Nobility in Exile in the Light of Sejm Resolutions of the Middle and Second Half of the 17th Century

Abstract

The article analyzes the political activity of Chernihiv voivodeship nobility in exile during 1648–1667. The purpose of the work is to study the parliamentary activities of the forced migrants in the context of competitions for the establishment of control over Left-Bank Ukraine between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Zaporizhian Host, and the Tsardom of Muscovy. The chronological framework of the research is 1648–1667. The lower margin is due to the outset of the Cossack revolution, which initiated the process of transforming Chernihiv voivodeship into an integral part of the Hetmanate. The upper margin is justified by the conclusion of the Truce of Andrusovo, which left the region under the influence of the Moscow tsar for 13.5 years. Despite the fact that the diplomatic capitulation of the Polish-Lithuanian State was the Treaty of Perpetual Peace (1686), it was the Truce of Andrusovo that made refugees from Ukrainian voivodeships finally lose their estates, as indicated by the monetary compensation from the Moscow tsar. The article deals with the content of ambassadorial instructions, in which the szlachta raises the issue of returning its estates and providing compensation for its losses. In order to achieve those goals, voivodeship representatives used the full spectrum of possible parliamentary pressure, in particular, were ready to threaten the consistency of general sejm sessions. This ultimately led to receiving monetary compensations (however, insufficient, according to the petitioners). The sejm success of the Chernihiv nobility was modest. In the light of the difficult military and political situation in the country, the “Chernihiv issue” remained a minor problem in the face of greater threats. Despite this, even small achievements of Chernihiv members of parliament could not deny the fact of a high political activity during their “exile” period.