Stanisław Sędziwój Czarnkowski – marszałek sejmu lubelskiego 1569 roku w świetle publikowanych diariuszy sejmowych

Abstract

The function of Marshal of the Sejm was transformed into an office in 1558. Marshal was responsible not only for welcoming the king and bidding farewell to him, but, above all, for supervision of works and contacts between senators and the ruler. Stanisław Sedziwój Czarnkowski – Crown referendary – was chosen Marshal during the 1569 Lublin Union Sejm. Cooperating closely with Sigismund II Augustus, he strongly opted for the union between the Crown and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. His oratory talent and political intuition assured the positive final to the parliamentary sitting that he headed. Czarnkowski’s speeches and argumentation contained in them importantly contributed to softening of the Sejm antagonisms. There are two especially important Czarnkowski’s speeches: the one in which he welcomed the king and the one of 2 June 1569, about the incorporation of new lands into the Crown. Due to his liking for the Habsburgs, S. S. Czarnkowski was considered to be a controversial person, which occasionally caused discord during the sittings. Still, at the most important moments in the Sejm he helped overcome difficulties and positively finalize the deliberations of the Sejm in Lublin. His contribution in the Act of the Union must not be forgotten.