Ruthenian Burghers of Lesser Poland Towns During the Thirteenth – Fourteenth Centuries: Problems of Search and Identification

Abstract

The objective of the article is to research the Ruthenians, which settled during the 13th – 14th centuries in the towns of the Piast dynasty lands, mainly in Polonia Minor, to outline their origin and the problems of an identification of some of them.

The methodology of the research consists in using the methods of comparative-historical and system analysis, comparative studies and prosopography. The article is written from the point of view of social anthropology, using the methods of semantics.

Scientific novelty. A systematic generalization of all immigrants from Rus of the 13th –14th centuries, noted by various sources, – the representatives of the urban environment of Piast’s possessions – was prepared for the first time.

Conclusions. Close, lively multifaceted Polish-Ruthenian very active exchange were facilitated by a longstanding and permanent trade contacts. There were at least three main roads that connected the centers of Lesser Poland with the possessions of the Rurik dynasty. Compare with the same processes in the medieval Hungarian Kingdom, where did not mention the Ruthenians burghers in the towns, author noted, that some small towns of Poland, in particular, Kraków, populated by the representatives of Rus, especially during the second half of the 13th –14th centuries. The Ruthenian families have formed there separate quarters. Its was facilitated by the self-government, received from the Piast dynasty princes since the beginning of the 13th century. To the most famous Ruthenian origin families of the 14th century, recorded in the Latin-speaking sources, we could rank personae nomine Nicolaus Ruthenus, Nicolaus genere Ruthenus and Nicolaus dictus Ruthenus. Undoubtedly – he was Ruthenian origin man. However, the peoples mentioned by the Latin-language sources such as Ruthenus, should not directly to perceive as the Ruthenian community representatives. But there are in the sources also many debatable identifications without any clear explanation. Each person requires a particular meticulous attention, because sometimes there were in their typical Ruthenian notification the evidence of the active trade or some other contacts into Rus or with Ruthenians. There are also controversial identifications of these persons by the names, which also require additional checking for early residence in the lands of Rurikids. The Ruthenian burghers of the cities of Lesser Poland were not the most numerous. However, they harmoniously complemented the diverse ethnically urban environment and enjoyed all, according to their status, rights and privileges. Obviously, in the second or third generations they adopted a Western rite, married representatives of the “Latin world”. But due to their personal connections, they influenced on the eastern trade of the kings of Poland.