Etyczne aspekty działań podejmowanych przez wojewodę krakowskiego Jana Magnusa Tęczyńskiego około zatrzymania rodowej fortuny

Abstract

Since the 14th century, the Tęczyński family has been regarded as one of the most important magnate families in Poland. Their representatives held important offiees in the state. They were also acclaimed patrotls of art, generous benefactors of the Church, benefactors of altars, chapels and monasteries whereas their court played an important cultural role. The last male representative of the family was Jan Magnus Tęczyński (1579-1637), the youngest son of Voivode Andrzej Tęczyński (Younger) and Katarzyna of Dembiński family. His contemporaries believed that the male line of his family expired due to God punishment sent from heaven for the Craeow Provincial Governor's unrestrained greed. He consistently pursued his goal at all costs, regardless of close family ties and at the expense of his relatives. His conduet in this regard was perceived as very reprehensible, the more so because it affected the closest relatives in the family who were entrusted with his eare and thus depended on his will. The last of the Tęczyński family who administered the entire family latifundium experienced a bitter "lesson of humility" at the end of his life - there was no one he could pass this fortune on to. Albrycht Stanisław Radziwiłł aceurately summed up the extinetion of such an oId and distinguished family for the Crown in his diary: "we should ery over the loss of the family who often brought forth wise senators, brave leaders and citizens who loved their Homeland".