Privilege of King Sigismund I for Lviv regarding the collection of fees from fair stalls

In the name of the Lord, amen. For the eternal memory of the matter. That which is granted to anyone by royal and princely generosity and benevolence, in order to have lasting and unshakable force, is usually strengthened by the testimony of documents and handed down to the memory of posterity. Therefore, we, Sigismund, by the grace of God King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and also Lord and Heir of the lands of Kraków, Sandomierz, Sieradz, Łęczyca, Kuyavia, Chełmno, Elbląg, Pomerania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, etc., announce by this letter to all and each one individually, present and future, who shall receive knowledge of this: That having a special and gracious regard for our city of Lviv and desiring that under our happy reign it may worthily increase its benefits, revenues, and acquisitions, and that the fruits of its constant activity may lead it to an ever better state, when the illustrious mayor and councilors of our aforementioned city of Lviv declared to us through their envoys that for the good and benefit of that city of ours they established a regulation there, that all and individual people, of whatever status, sex, and condition they might be, both those residing in the city and merchants and craftsmen arriving from elsewhere, during the fairs customarily held in Lviv, for setting up and erecting their stalls or booths in the market square of the aforementioned city of Lviv with the consent and will of the council, should pay a fair rent for the common good of this city, and according to the discretion of these present and future mayors and councilors of Lviv, pay and settle the rent to the said city, just as they have already paid and settled in the previous year – asking us that we might deign to ratify and approve this regulation thus established by them in this city of ours, as worthy and just. We, therefore, graciously acceding to their worthy requests, recognizing this regulation and establishment of rent from the aforementioned stalls or places where these stalls will be placed, made by the mayor and councilors of Lviv themselves, as valid and desirable, have deemed it necessary to approve it and give it legal force, as we do hereby eternally approve and give it force. Providing that all and individual people, both merchants and craftsmen, who shall arrive at these Lviv fairs from anywhere, both from the Kingdom and our possessions, as well as from other foreign kingdoms and states, in the places of the market square of the same city of Lviv or where the Lviv council office shall designate and assign them for the sale and display of their things and goods, from those places assigned and designated to them, should and will be obliged to pay and settle the aforementioned rent to the city according to the discretion of the Lviv council office. This rent, exacted and collected from those merchants from the places and stalls, the aforementioned mayor and councilors of Lviv shall and should apply to the needs of the same city. In faith and testimony of which, our seal has been affixed to this letter. Given in Kraków at the general sejm, on Wednesday after Palm Sunday, in the Year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and forty-seventh, and the forty-first year of our reign. In the presence of the most reverend and reverend fathers in Christ, the lords: Mikołaj Dziergowski, Archbishop of Gniezno, born legate and Primate of the Kingdom of Poland; Samuel Maciejowski, Bishop of Kraków and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; Andrzej Zebrzydowski of Włocławek, Benedykt Izdbieński of Poznań, Andrzej Noskowski of Płock, Jan Dziaduski of Przemyśl, and Jan Drohojowski of Chełm – bishops; and the magnificent, venerable, and noble: Jan, Count of Tarnów, Castellan of Kraków and Grand Hetman of the armies of our Kingdom, and also starosta of Sandomierz, Stryi, and Lubaczów [?]; Piotr Kmita, Count of Wiśnicz, Castellan of Kraków, Grand Marshal of our Kingdom, and also starosta of Kraków, Spiš, Przemyśl, and Koło; Piotr of Służewo, Castellan of Kalisz, Jan of Tęczyn, Castellan of Sandomierz and Marshal of our court, and also starosta of Lublin and Lelów; Stanisław of Łask, Castellan of Sieradz, Andrzej of Tęczyn, Castellan of Lublin, and also starosta of Śniatyn and Rohatyn; Feliks Szreński of Sokołów, Castellan of Płock, and also starosta of Malbork and Płock; Jan Dziergowski, Castellan of Masovia and Warsaw – voivodes; Andrzej, Count of Górka, Castellan of Poznań and General Starosta of Greater Poland; Marcin Oborski, Castellan of Kalisz, and also starosta of Szydłów, Odolanów, and Stobnica; Mikołaj of Wola, Castellan of Sandomierz and Master of the Household of our Most Serene spouse, and also starosta of Sanok, Lanckorona, Łomża, and Wizna; Piotr Opaliński, Castellan of Gniezno and Master of the Household of our Most Serene Lord, our dearest son, and also starosta of Kościan, Kcynia, and Olsztyn; Spytek of Tarnów, Castellan of Wiślica, Treasurer of our Kingdom, and also starosta of Brzeźnica, Krzepice, and Krzeszów; Jan Mielecki, Castellan of Wiślica and starosta of Chmielnik; Stanisław Maciejowski, Castellan of Lublin and starosta of Zawichost; Erazm of Kretków, Castellan of Brześć; Seweryn Boner of Balice, Castellan of Sącz, salt-works administrator, burgrave and governor of Kraków, and also starosta of Oświęcim, Zator, Biecz, and Rabsztyn; Mikołaj Grabia, Castellan of Chełm and Vice-Chancellor of our Kingdom and starosta of Luboml; Jerzy Latalski, Castellan of Ląd, Jerzy Konarski, Castellan of Międzyrzecz, and Jan Ocieski, Castellan of Biecz, and also land sub-chamberlain of Kraków – castellans; Stanisław Borek, dean, Andrzej Czarnkowski, scholastic and provost of Gniezno, Jan Przerębski, provost, Stanisław Hozjusz, doctor of both laws, canons of Kraków, our secretaries; Marcin Wolski, our chamberlain, and also starosta of Zakroczym and Błonie; Augustyn Kotwicz, our court standard-bearer and master of the horse, Grzegorz Pokosławski, our master of the kitchen, and many other dignitaries, officials, and courtiers of ours, sincerely and faithfully devoted to us, witnesses of the above. Given by the hands of the aforementioned reverend father in Christ, the lord Samuel Maciejowski, Bishop of Kraków and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland, sincerely dear to us. [Signature on the left side below the text:] Samuel, Bishop of Kraków and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland, signed [On the fold on the right side:] Relation of the same reverend father in Christ, the lord Samuel, Bishop of Kraków and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland [chancery mark/paraph] [Verso:] [Regest note from the 16th century:] Letter of Sigismund I regarding the monetary rent from stalls set up during fairs 1547 [Archival signatures from the 18th/19th century:] Rubric three / Lit. C. No. 9 / 3. C. 9. / D. Bundle 29. / Reg. 2.

In Nomine Domini Amen. Ad perpetuam rei memoriam. Ea quae de Regum et principum liberalitate benignitateque cuipiam conceduntur, ut rata et firma sint, solent litterarum munimentis approbari et futurae memoriae commendari, proinde nos Sigismundus Dei gratia Rex poloniae, Magnus Dux Lithuaniae, Necnon terrarum Cracoviae, Sandomiriae, Siradiae, Lanciciae, Cuiaviae, Culmensis, Elbingensis, Pomeraniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae etc. dominus et haeres, Significamus praesentibus literis universis et singulis praesentibus et futuris harum noticiam habituris: Quia habentes singularem et benignam rationem civitatis nostrae Leopolien[sis] cupientesque, ut sub foelici nostro regimine in suis utilitatibus, proventibus et accessionibus digne augeatur, suaeque continuae activitatis incrementa ad conditionemque magis ac magis deducatur meliorem, cum famati proconsul et consules praefatae Civitatis nostrae Leopolien[sis] per eorum Nuncios nobis declararunt, se pro meliori et utilitate civitatis illius nostrae, isthic nomine instituisse, ut omnes et singuli homines cuiuscunque status, sexus, conditionis fuerint, tam in Civitate existen[tes] quam etiam aliunde advenientes, mercatores et mechanici sub tempore Nundinarum ibidem Leopoli celebrari solitarum in circulo Civitatis prenominatae Leopolien[sis] suas institas seu tuguria de consensu et voluntate consulari locandis et statuendis pro Republica civitatis illius censum dignum cederent, et iuxta eorundem proconsulis et Consulum Leopolien[sium] modernorum et pro tempore existencium determinationem, Civitati prenominatae penderent et censuarent, prout iam anno transacto pendebant et censuabant, postulan[do] a nobis, quatenus eam ipsam ordinationem per eos ita in Civitate illa nostra institutam vel dignam et iustam ratificare approbareque dignaremur. Nos itaque eorundem postulationibus dignis benigniter annuentes, huiusmodi ordinationem et census a praefatis institis seu locis, in quibus ille Institae locatae fuerint, Institutionem per ipsos proconsulem et consules Leopolien[ses] factam, ratam et gratam habentes, duximus fore approbandam et gratificandam, prout et praesentibus perpetuo approbamus et gratificamus, Statuen[tes] ut omnes et singuli homines et mercatores atque artifices, qui ad ipsas Nundinas Leopolien[ses] undecunque, tam de Regno ac dominijs nostris quam etiam de alijs Regnis et dominijs exteris advenerint, in locis circuli Civitatis ipsius Leopolien[sis] aut isthic, ubi eis consulatus Leopolien[sis] ad res et merces eorum venden[dum] et exponen[dum] designaverit et deputaverit, a praefatis locis eis designatis et deputatis censum huiusmodi solvere et pendere Civitati iuxta Consulatus Leopolien[sis] determinationem debebunt ac tenebuntur. Quem censum ab eisdem mercatoribus a locis et institis exactum et collectum praefati proconsul et consules Leopolien[ses] pro necessitate Civitatis illius convertent et convertere debebunt. In cuius rei fidem et testimonium Sigillum nostrum praesentibus literis est appensum. Dat[um] Cracoviae in Comitijs generalibus feria quarta post Dominicam Palmarum, Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Quadragesimo Septimo, Regni vero nostri Quadragesimo Primo. Praesentibus R[everendissi]mo et Reveren[do] in Christo patribus Dominis: Nicolao Dziergowsky Archiepiscopo Gnesnen[si], legato nato et primate Regni poloniae, Samuele Maczieiowsky Cracoviensi et Regni poloniae Cancellario, Andrea Zebrzidowsky Wladislaviensi, Benedicto Izdbiensky Posnaniensi, Andrea Noskowsky Plocensi, Joanne Dziadusky Premisliensi et Joanne Droyewski Chelmensi Episcopis. Necnon Magnificis, Venerabilibus et Generosis: Joanne comite de Tarnow Castellano Cracoviensi et exercituum Regni nostri Supremo ac Sandomiriensi, Stiriensi, Lybagoviensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Petro Gnieba [=Kmita] comite de Wisznicze Cracovien[si], Regni nostri magno marschalco ac Cracoviensi, Scepusiensi, Praemisliensi, Colensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Petro de Sluzewo Calissiensi, Joanne de Thanczin Sandomiriensi et Curiae nostrae marschalco, ac Lublinensi et Leloviensi Capitaneo, Stanislao de Lasko Siradiensi, Andrea de Tanczin Lublinensi ac Sniatynensi, Rohathinensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Foelice Srzensky de Socolowo Plocensi ac Mariemburgensi et Plocensi Capitaneo, Joanne Dziergowsky Masoviae et Capitaneo Varszoviensi Palatinis; Andrea comite a Gorka Posnaniensi et Maioris poloniae Capitaneo generali, Martino Oborowsky Calissiensi ac Schidlowiensi, Odalanoviensi et Stobnicensi Capitaneo, Nicolao de Wolyia Sandomiriensi et Serenissimae Coniugis nostrae Curiae magistro necnon Sanocensi, Lanckoronensi, Lomzen[si] et Visnensi Capitaneo, Petro Opalijenski Gnesnensi et Serenissimi Domini filij nostri charissimi Curiae magistro ac Costen[si], Keynen[si], Olsztenensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Spithcone de Tarnow Visniciensi Regni nostri Thezaurario ac Brzesnicensi, Krzepicensi, Krzessoviensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Joanne Mielieczky Visliciensi et Capitaneo Chmielnicensi, Stanislao Maczieiowsky Lublinensi et Capitaneo Zavichostensi, Erasmo de Krecthkow Brzesten[si], Severino Bonar de Balicze Sandecensi, Zuppario, Burgravio et magno Procuratore Cracoviensi ac Osswieczimiensi, Zatheriensi, Bieczensi et Rabsztinensi Capitaneo, Nicolao Grabya Chelmensi et Regni nostri Vicecancellario ac capitaneo Lybomliensi, Georgio Latalsky Landensi, Georgio Conarsky Miedzirzecensi et Joanne Ocziesky Bieccensi necnon Succamerario Terrestri Cracoviensi, Castellanis; Stanislao Borek Decano, Andrea Czarnkowsky Scholastico necnon praeposito Gnesnensi, Joanne Przerambsky praeposito, Stanislao Hosio Iuris utriusq[ue] Doctore, Canonicis Cracoviensibus Secretarijs nostris; Martino Wolski cubiculi nostri praefecto ac Zacroczimensi, Blonensiq[ue] Capitaneo, Augustino Cothphicz Curiae Vexillifero et Stabuli nostri praefecto, Gregorio Pokoslawsky Coquinae nostrae magistro, et alijs quam multis Dignitarijs, officialibus et aulicis nostris syncere et fidelibus nobis dilectis testibus circa praemissa. Dat[um] per manus praefati Reveren[di] in Christo patris Domini Samuelis Maczieyowsky Episcopi Cracoviensis et Regni Poloniae Cancellarij syncere nobis dilecti. [Podpis z lewej strony poniżej tekstu:] Samuel Eps Crac[oviensis] et R[egni] P[oloniae] Cancell[arius] sp[sit] [Na plice z prawej strony:] R[elatio] eiusdem Reveren[di] in Ch[rist]o patris domini Samuelis episcopi Crac[oviensis] et Regni Poloniae Cancellarij [znak kancelaryjny/parafa] [Verso:] [Nota regestowa z XVI w.:] Sigismundi p[ri]mi littere super censum institis denarium ab institis tempore nundinarum locandis 1547 [Sygnatury archiwalne z XVIII/XIX w.:] Rubrica Tertia / Lit. C. No. 9no. / 3. C. 9. / D. Fasc. 29. / Reg. 2.