Granice wierności. Dylematy rojalisty Józefa Gabriela Stempkowskiego

Abstract

The study analyzed the limits of a royalist's fidelity, the evolution of Stempkowski's attitude at various times depending on the political situation and his relationship with Stanisław August Poniatowski, mainly in the context of a role the king intended him to play in the Right Bank Ukraine. In the 1870s and 1880s, Stemkowski's relations with the king were exemplary. In 1783-1788, Stempkowski's position as a leader weakened. It started with his conflict with Kiev Metropolitan Jason Smogorzewski. Then, Stanisław August Poniatowski insisted to favor Szczęsny Potocki for leadership and removed Stempkowski to the second rank. A final reason was a conflict between Kiev Voivode and Żytomierz Chamberlain Józef Bierzyński. In this situation, Stempkowski showed increasing frustration trying to make a deal with the leaders grouped around the White Orthodox Church, which the king disapproved of. The final break with Stanisław August occurred in 1790, particularly in the context of a dispute over the throne succession.