Abstrakt: | The article discusses issues concerning the functioning of Kiejdany in the
17th century as represented in Piotr Kochlewski’s writings and his replies to the letters
of the city’s mayor – Józef Zygmuntowicz. Kochlewski, who was a deputy in the
private city of Krzysztof Radziwiłł, reported to his master on building of the Protestant
community and a school, among others. He also responded to the allegations made
by Zygmuntowicz, disagreeing with his position on such matters as land measurement,
punishing townspeople and enforcement of Radziwiłł’s recommendations. He accused
the mayor of ill-treatment of the citizens and manipulating public opinion; he also
criticized the mayor’s self-serving attitude during a plague. The position in these
disputable matters was also taken by Prince Krzysztof, who in a letter addressed to
mayors of Kiejdany supported his governor. |