LIBERATION (“PRAWO LIBERTATIS”) OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITIES OF THE VOLYN VOIVODSHIP IN THE 18TH CENTURY

The liberation of the inhabitants of the cities of the Volhynian Voivodeship in the 18th century from certain types of rent or in general was the policy of the owner-landlord or elders as representatives of royal or spiritual authority and was often directly related to specific circumstances in the life of the city, its inhabitants, and situational or permanent needs. The burgomasters and aldermen, as members of the magistrate in cities with Magdeburg law, could jointly and in agreement with the castle government make decisions on liberation. Similar decisions on tax exemptions could be implemented by an elected “college of thirty men,” as was the case in the city of Olyka. The liberation of the inhabitants of the cities of the Volhynian Voivodeship in the 18th century from certain types of rent or in general was the policy of the owner-landlord or elders as representatives of royal or spiritual authority and was often directly related to specific circumstances in the life of the city, its inhabitants, and situational or permanent needs. The burgomasters and aldermen, as members of the magistrate in cities with Magdeburg law, could jointly and in agreement with the castle government make decisions on liberation. Similar decisions on tax exemptions could be implemented by an elected “college of thirty men,” as was the case in the city of Olyka. In general, natural disasters, fires, and military occupations led to a critical state of urban economy, so there was a need to support the townspeople with appropriate benefits in order to restore urban life and revive its main economic objects. Liberation was granted to newly arrived townspeople or those who built their own homes in the city or started a new family and thus became part of the community. Residents of cities that served the needs of the castle and the city enjoyed certain privileges regarding rent. Soldiers who served in cities received permanent or temporary liberation. The latter group of liberated persons was supplemented by boyars, city guards, сossacks, servants, etc. Representatives of the clergy of various denominations and religions were generally exempt from paying city taxes. There were no clearly established rules of liberation for all cities in the Volhynian Voivodeship, but there are known provisions for individual cities, which were based on similar trends. In general, temporary liberations, either partial or permanent, are known to have taken place in cities. The implementation of liberations in cities influenced their ethnic and religious character and national diversity. According to rough estimates, the liberated population groups in the cities of Volhynia could have accounted for 4 to 30% of the total population.