Proces translokacji miasta Łeby

Abstract

The translocation of the town of Łeba was a many-year process, which started – more or less – in 1560 and ended between 1600 and 1610 with a clear turning point in 1590. It was caused not by a one-time cataclysm (destructive sea waves and sand gales), but centuries-old operating of those natural factors unfavourable for human beings and subjective factors shaped by the ambitions of the Wejher family, who – as their affluence and political importance were increasing – aspired first to subdue Łeba economically and legally,and next to transform it from a ducal Lubeck law town into a private town owned by one family. The idea was conceived by Mikolaj Wejher at the beginning of the 16th century, and was continued by his sons Franciszek and, especially, Ernest; the latter acted in manyspheres unnecessarily violently, sometimes infringing the Szczecin Dukes’ rights.