Privilege of King Sigismund II Augustus defining and confirming the bridge toll in Wierzbiż for the Lviv Chapter

In the name of the Lord, amen. For the eternal memory of the following matters. We, Sigismund Augustus, 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, Kujawy, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Chełmno, Elbląg, Pomerania, and Samogitia. We announce by the tenor of this letter to all and each individually, both present and future, to whose knowledge this shall come and whom it concerns. Whereas in past years, on behalf of the venerable, dear to us prelates and canons and the entire chapter of the Lviv Metropolitan Church, certain of our advisors informed us that they possess a bridge toll, granted to them formerly by the most serene lord Władysław, by the grace of God King of Poland, our most beloved great-grandfather, which grant and privilege for the village of the said venerable chapter called Wierzbiż, issued authentically by the same most serene great-grandfather of ours, was presented before us. But as to what kind and what amount this toll should be and in what measure it should be collected on behalf of the venerable chapter in the aforementioned village of Wierzbiż or in its estates for the reason of repairing roads and bridges – as this was not specified in that privilege – we were petitioned that, considering that the said venerable chapter annually bears heavy expenses with great difficulty for the repair of bridges and causeways on meadows in the most difficult and muddy places, we might deign, by the power of a declaration of that grant, to designate for them a specific bridge toll. Having heard this request, because it seemed just to us, yet wishing to have undoubted testimony, we entrusted this task to certain of our messengers and commissioners [...], so that by visual inspection on the spot, having carefully examined all circumstances and considered the reasons for the just and legal necessity of establishing a bridge toll there, they might inform us of the state of the whole matter. These commissioners, having duly fulfilled our order, reported to us in their authentically issued letters and described all the difficult crossings and muddy places, as well as their lengths determined by precise measurement, in which places the said venerable chapter is forced at its own expense to build, erect, and annually repair in more than one point bridges, causeways, and other reinforcements called 'gacie'. They added, moreover, that if anywhere else in these vicinities such repair is to serve for the common benefit of drivers and the convenience of passage for all travelers, and it costs the venerable chapter not a little, one should not hesitate, so that encouraged by our generosity to bear expenses for repairs with greater willingness, they might receive from us a certain and defined bridge toll. Therefore, following in the footsteps of our once most serene great-grandfathers and moved by similar concern, as is fitting, for the said toll, of our certain knowledge and royal grace, as well as with the consent of our advisors, we give to the same canons or the venerable Lviv Chapter, or, insofar as it has already been given, we maintain in its force the bridge or causeway toll in the aforementioned village of Wierzbiż, to be collected for all time. Establishing it there, we designate by express words a specific manner of paying each fee, namely in this way: from every wagon loaded with goods of any kind or salt, and drawn by four horses or oxen – twelve denarii or one hundred 'gomółki' of salt. From a wagon similarly loaded with goods or salt, drawn by two horses or oxen – six denarii or fifty 'gomółki'. From drovers and merchants of larger animals for entire herds – from each head three obols; from smaller cattle, namely wethers, goats, and all small livestock – from every four heads two obols [...], which fees ought to be paid and settled by all and individual merchants, drivers, and others traveling with things, goods, draft animals, cattle, and herds through the said bridges, causeways, and road reinforcements. This toll, established by us in the manner described above, the said venerable chapter of the Lviv Metropolitan Church shall have full and all power to collect for its own benefit for all time by the right of the privileges of the said most serene great-grandfather and this our own. Yet under the condition that it shall be strictly and for all time obligated to the repair of the said roads, causeways, and bridges, from which we do not release the said venerable chapter. With the preservation of the rights and liberties of the nobility of our Kingdom and other persons who, by law or custom, are not obligated to pay tolls. In witness whereof and as an unshakable and manifest testimony, our seal has been affixed by our hand. Given in Piotrków at the general assembly of our Kingdom, on Friday, the eve of the feast of Saint Valentine the Martyr, on the twelfth day of the month of February, in the Year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and sixty-third, and in the thirty-fourth year of our reign. In the presence of the most reverend and venerable fathers in Christ, the lords: Jakub Uchański of Gniezno, born legate and primate, Paweł Tarło of Lviv, archbishops of the metropolitan churches; Filip Padniewski of Kraków, Mikołaj Wolski of Włocławek, Andrzej Noskowski of Płock, Wojciech Starozrzebski of Chełm, bishops of the cathedral churches; and also the magnificent, well-born, and venerable: Marcin of Zborów, castellan of Kraków and starosta of Szydłowiec (?), [...] of Dobrzyń; Stanisław Jordan of Zakliczyn at Melsztyn, starosta of Kraków and Trembowla; Andrzej Kościelecki of Poznań; Stanisław of Tarnów, of Sandomierz and Sieradz; Krzesław Krzeczonowski of Ostrzeszów, Count of Górka, of Kalisz and Gniezno; Wawrzyniec of Kościelec, of Sieradz, General of Greater Poland, of Nakło and Bydgoszcz; Jan of Służewo, of Brześć and Konin; Mikołaj Sokołowski of Biesiekier, of Inowrocław; Mikołaj of Sieniawa, field hetman of the Ruthenian lands and the armies of our Kingdom, and of Halicz; Jan Straszkowski, of the Podolian lands and Drohobycz; Jan Firlej of Dąbrowica, of Lublin and Kazimierz; Arnolf Uchański, of Płock and Wyszogród; Stanisław Zamoyski of Skokówka, of Masovia and vice-regent; Andrzej Sierpski of Gulczewo, of Rawa and Płock; Jan Działyński, of Chełmno and Bratiańsk; Achacy Czem, of Malbork and Sztum, voivodes and starostas of Malbork; Andrzej Czarnkowski of Poznań; Stanisław Maciejowski of Sandomierz, marshal of our court and of Luboml, Zawichost; Jan Bonarski of Kalisz; Jan Krzysztof, Count of Tarnów, of Wojnicz and Sandomierz; Zbigniew Stanisław Herburt of Fulsztyn [...] starostas; Florian Zebrzydowski of Lublin, burgrave of Kraków and Sącz; Krzysztof [...] Andrzej Dembiński of Bełz and Hrubieszów; Piotr Oskierka of Grodzisk, of Czersk and Rawa; Jan Lutomirski of Rawa, treasurer of our court, burgrave of Kraków and Ląd, of Radom; Walenty Dembiński of Piotrkowice, of Sącz, treasurer of our Kingdom, burgrave of Kraków and Chęciny, of Czorsztyn; Sebastian of Mielec [...] of the Kingdom; Jan Tomicki of Rogoźno; Mikołaj Zmychowski of Zawichost; Piotr Barzy of Błożew, of Przemyśl; Andrzej Bzicki of Chełm; Franciszek Russocki of Krzywiń; Kasper Zebrzydowski of Nakło; Stanisław Wolski of Brzeźnica; Stanisław Spławski of Santok; Jan Warszewicki of Warsaw; Walenty Nadarzyński, of Wizna and Ciechanów; Anzelm Gostomski of Wyszogród, castellans and starostas; Jan Kostka of Sztembark, starosta in Sztum, of Gdańsk, treasurer of the Prussian lands and of Puck, Tczew; Jan of Ocieszyń, chancellor of our Kingdom, General of Kraków and starosta of Oświęcim, Zator, Śniatyn, Sambor, Olsztyn, and chamberlain of the Kraków land; Piotr Myszkowski, dean of Kraków and provost of Gniezno, Poznań, and Łęczyca, greater secretary of our Royal Majesty; Stanisław Myszkowski of Mirów, cupbearer of our Kingdom and of Malbork, Nakło; Krzysztof Sobek of Sulejów, of Warsaw, forester of Nur; Andrzej, Count of Górka, of Gniezno; Stanisław, Count of Górka, of Koło; Jan Tarło of Szczekarzewice, of Pilzno; Rafał Leszczyński of Radziejów; Jan Dulski of Rospierza and Ostrzeszów; Stanisław Barzy of Wisznia, of Szamotuły; Jan Tęczyński of Lublin; Andrzej Tęczyński of Nowy Korczyn (?), counts of Tęczyn; Mikołaj Mielecki of Gródek; Stanisław Koniecpolski of Wieluń, [...] starostas; [...] starosta; Jan Herburt of Fulsztyn, of Przemyśl; Jan Trzecieski of Lviv; Jan Bogusz of Wola, of Lublin; Stanisław Wapowski of Sanok, chamberlains; Andrzej Trzebicki, dean of Poznań, scholastic and vicar general in spiritual matters of Kraków; Andrzej Przerębski, Dionizy Sierzpniewski, and Rafał Mistkowski, canons of Kraków; Stanisław Karnkowski of Gniezno, canon of Vilnius, of Parzęczew, Piotrków, and referendary of our Kingdom; Władysław Warszewicki, scholastic of Gniezno, chancellor of Poznań and dean of Żarnowiec; Jan Zieliński of Czarnków, of Poznań, canon of Płock, pastor of Trzcianka and Kamionka; Ścibor Krzykowski, Paweł Stępowski, and Łukasz Podoski, canons of Kraków, our secretaries. And many other dignitaries, secretaries, officials, and courtiers of ours, credible witnesses of the above, sincerely and dearly faithful and beloved to us. Given by the hands of the magnificent Jan of Ocieszyń, chancellor of our Kingdom, General of Kraków and starosta of Oświęcim, Zator, Śniatyn, as well as Sambor and Olsztyn, and chamberlain of the Kraków land, sincerely and dearly beloved to us. Jan Ocieski, Chancellor of the Polish Kingdom [Chancery note on the right:] By order of Jan of Ocieszyń, Chancellor of the Polish Kingdom, General Starosta of Kraków and Śniatyn, of the Duchies of Zator, Sambor, and Olsztyn [Galician official annotation on the fold:] This privilege was entered into the books in the Book of Documents [Libro Instrumentorum], volume 5, page 4, in the Imperial-Royal Noble Court [Forum Nobilium], and titled in [the book of] Estates 129, page 105, number 1, concerning the estates of the village of Horożana with appurtenances. Done in Lviv, on the 10th of June, 1805. Kazimierz Jelgellewicz, by own hand. [Second wax seal under the paper on the fold next to the official's signature] [Verso:] [Annotation at the top left:] entered on March 16, 1804 To no. 6733 entered July 28, 1804 No. 11647 To be entered and registered [Various chancery notes, regests, and signatures from the 16th–19th centuries, including:] 1563 Confirmation privilege with declaration of the bridge toll in Wierzbiż No. 347...

IN Nomine Domini Amen Ad rei que sequitur memoriam sempiternam. Nos SIGISMVNDVS AVGVSTVS dei gratia REX POLONIAE, magnus DVX Lithuaniae necnon terrarum Cracoviae, Sandomiriae, Siradiae, Lanciciae, Cuiaviae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Culmensis, Elbingensis, Pomeraniae, Samogitiaeque dominus et haeres. Significamus tenore praesentium quorum interest universis et singulis tam praesentibus quam futuris harum notitiam habituris. Cvm superioribus annis nomine Venerabilium gratorum nobis Praelatorum et Canonicorum totiusque capituli Ecclesiae metropolitanae Leopoliensis certi nostri Consiliarii certiores nos fecissent, habere ipsos theloneum pontale ab olim serenissimo domino Vladislao dei gratia Rege Poloniae proavo nostro desyderatissimo sibi concessum, cuius thelonei donationem et privilegium super villam eorumdem Venerabilis Capituli Wierzbisch dictum ab eodem ipso serenissimo proavo nostro authentice emanato, quod coram nobis productum fuit, continetur. Sed quale quantumque illud ipsum theloneum esset atque ipsis Venerabiliter Capitulo nomine in praefata villa Wierzbisch vel ipsius bonis ratione reparationis viarum pontiumque exigi deberet, quia eodem Privilegio expressum non est, supplicatum fuit nobis quandoquidem praefatum Venerabile Capitulum graves impensas magno cum labore quotannis in difficillimis lutosorumque locorum pratis in pontium et aggerum refectionem facerent, in vim declarationis eiusmodi concessionis certum ipsis theloneum pontale assignare dignaremur. Qua supplicatione intellecta cum non iniusta nobis videretur, tamen ut certa mandaretur habere volumus testimonia dato negotio certis nuntiis et commissariis nostris numerariis ipsis ut in re praesenti omnibus rebus oculis subiectis diligenterque inspectis perpensis etiam causis iustae legitimaeque necessitatis ibidem theloneum pontale statuendi nos de re tota ut se haberet redderent certiores. Qvi quidem commissarii mandatum nostrum debite exequuti nobis literis suis authentice emanatis significarunt, descripseruntque omnes transitus difficiles locaque lutosa, longitudines etiam eorum certa mensura comprehensas, in quibus locis praefatum Venerabile Capitulum pontes aggeres straturas alias gaczi non uno in loco propriis suis sumptibus instruere, edificare et quotannis reficere cogantur. Additaque insuper si usquam alibi illis in locis expedire certe pro communi utilitate vectorum et alioqui proficiscentium omnium commoditati transitu viarum fieri reparationem id quemnam hoc magno constet ipsis Venerabili Capitulo non formuquum [=non formidandum?] si liberalitate nostra ad suscipiendas maiore alacritate erga reparationem impensas provocati certum determinatumque theloneum, certum determinavimus pontale a nobis eisdem concederetur. Quamobrem immitentes [=innitentes?] vestigiis olim Serenissimorum proavorum nostrorum praefata similique eorumdem uti decet praedicti thelonei permoti, de certa scientia et gratia nostra Regia necnon consiliariorum nostrorum assensu damus eisdem Canonicis seu Venerabili Capitulo Leopoliensi vel prout datum in suo robore conservamus, theloneum pontale seu aggerale in villa praefata Wierzbisch perpetuis temporibus exigendum. Constituentes ibidem atque expressis verbis assignamus certam solvendi cuiuslibet eius rationem hoc videlicet modo, ut a singulis curribus mercibus cuiuscunque generis vel sale oneratis et a quatuor equis seu bobus tractis duodecim denarii seu centum celpa [=scelpa?] salis. A curru similiter mercibus vel sale oneratis duobus equis seu bobus uniusque sex denarii seu celpa quinquaginta. De a vectoribus et emptoribus maioribus post debus [=sedibus?] totius a singulis eboli tres a pecoribus vero minoribus ut pote mutionibus hoedis quibus parvis singulis ab [...] quattuor oboli duo per omnes et singulos mercatores vectores aliosque item cum rebus mercibus iuventis pecoribus et pecudibus per praedictas pontes aggeres straturas proficiscentes pendantur solvanturque. Quod quidem theloneum modo praemisso per nos constitutum Venerabile Capitulum praefatum Ecclesiae Metropolitanae Leopoliensis pro sua utilitate sua temporibus perpetuis iure privilegiorum suorum Serenissimum proavi qui praesentis nostri horum plenam et omnimodam exigendi habebit potestatem. Sed ea conditione ut ad reparationem praefatarum viarum aggerumque et pontium tantum sitque perpetuis temporibus adstrictum a quo ipsum Venerabile capitulum liberum non facimus. Salvis iuribus et libertatibus nobilitatis Regni nostri aliarumque personarum quae de iure vel consuetudine ad pendenda thelonea non tenentur. In cuius rei fidem firmusque et evidens testimonium sigillum nostrum manus nostrae est appensum. Datum Piotrkoviae in Conventu Regni nostri generali feria sexta pridie festi sancti Valentini Martyris die vero duodecima Mensis Februarii Anno Domini millesimo Sexagesimo tertio Regni vero nostri anno Trigesimo Quarto. Praesentibus Reverendissimis et Venerandis in Christo patribus dominis Jacobo Vchanski Gnesnensi Legato nato et Primate, Paulo Tharło Leopoliensi Metropolitanarum Ecclesiarum Archiepiscopis, Philippo Padniewski Cracoviensi, Nicolao Wolski Vladislaviensi, Andrea Noskowski Plocensi, Alberto Starozrebski Chelmensi cathedralium Ecclesiarum Episcopis necnon Magnificis Generosis et Venerabilibus Martino de Zborow castellano Cracoviensi ac Schellomensi? [=Szydłowiec?] capitaneo, mense Dobrzinensi, Stanislao Jordan de Zakliczyn in Melsztyn Cracoviensi ac Trembovliensi capitaneo, Andrea Goscielieczki Posnaniensi, Stanislao a Tharnow Sandomiriensi ac Syradiensi, Krzeslao Zrzeczonowski [=Krzeczonowski] Ostrzeszchowiensi Ducatu comite a Corcka Calissiensi ac Gnesnensi Laurencio de Kosczieletz Siradiensi Maioris Poloniae generali, Nadclengis et Bydgostiensi, Joanne de Sluzhewo Brestensi et Kominensi, Nicolao Sokolowski de Biessiekieri Inowladislaviensi, Nicolao de Szyeniawa Terrarum Russiae ac Exercituum Regni nostri campestri et Haliciensi, Joanne Straszchowski Terrarum Podoliae ac Drohobicensi, Joanne Firlei de Dambrowicza Lublinensi et Casimiriensi, Arnolpho Vchamski Plocensi ac Wishegradiensi, Stanislao Zamojski de Starzeczeszin Masoviae et Vicesgerenti, Andrea Szieprski de Gulczewo Ravensi ac Plocensi, Joanne a Dzialtyn Culmensi et in Brathian, Achacio Czema Mariemburgensi ac Schtumensi, Marienburgi Palatinis et Capitaneis, Andrea Czarnkowsky Posnaniensi, Stanislao Maczieiowski Sandomiriensi Curiae nostrae Marschalco ac Lubomliensi, Zawichostensi, Joanne Bonarski Calisiensi, Joanne Christophoro comite in Tharnow Woinicensi ac Sandomiriensi, Sbigneo Stanislao Herberth de Fulschtin [...] capitaneis, Floriano Zebrzidowski Lublinensi burgrabio Cracoviensi ac Sandecensi, Christophoro Thischcroweings Andrea Dembinski Belzensi et Hrubieszchowiensi, Petro Oskero de Grodzisko Czernensi ac Ravensi, Joanne Luthomirski Rawensi Curiae nostrae Thesaurario burgrabio Cracoviensi ac Landensi, Radomiensi, Valentino Dembieinski de Piothrkowicze Sandecensi Regni nostri Thesaurario burgrabio Cracoviensi ac Checynensi, Czorsztynensi, Sebastiano de Mielec [...] Regni, Joanne Thonneski Rogoznensi, Nicolao Zmithowmski Zawichostensi, Petro Barzy de Blosew Przemysliensi, Andrea Bzieczki Chelmensi, Francisco Russoczki Krzywensi, Casparo Zebrzidowski Naklensi, Stanislao Wolski Brzezensi, Stanislao Splawski Santocensi, Joanne Warschewiczki Warschoviensi, Valentino Nadarzinski Visnensi ac Cziechanoviensi, Anselmo Gosthomski Wischegradiensi, Castellanis et Capitaneis, Joanne Kostka de Schtamberk in Sztum capitulano Sedinensi terrarum Prussiae Thesaurario ac Lucensi, Dirschanoviensi legato de Oczijessmo Regni nostri cancellario, Cracoviensi generali ac Osswianczimensi Zathoriensi, Sniatynensi ac Schamboriensi, Olschtinensi et Terra Cracoviensis Succamerario Capitaneis, Petro Myschkowski Decano Cracoviensi ac Gnesnensi, Posnaniensi et Lanciciensi praeposito Regiae Maiestatis nostri maiori Secretario, Stanislao Myszkowski de Myrow Incisore Regni nostri ac Mariemburgensi, Nadclengis, Christophoro Sobek de Suleiow Warschoviensi saltuensi Nurensis, Andrea comite de Gorka Gnesnensi, Stanislao comite de Gorka Colensi, Joanne Tharlo de Sczekarzowicze Pilznen[si], Raphaele Liessczinski Radzieiowiensi, Joanne Dulski Rosprensi ac Ostrzeszowiensi, Stanislao Barzi de Wisschmieze Szmathulensi, Joanne Thanczymski Lublinensi, Andrea Thanczymski Nohariensi? de Thanczyn comitibus, Nicolao Mieleczki Grodecensi, Stanislao Konieczpolski Wielunensi, Teschinno capitaneis, Jasien Capitaneus, Joanne Herberth de Fulschtin Przemysliensi, Joanne Tharzeckhowski Leopoliensi, Joanne Bogusch de Wola Lublinensi, Stanislao Wapowski Sanocensi Succamerariis, Andrea Trzetrzewsky Decano Posnaniensi scholastico et in spiritualibus vicario generali Cracoviensi, Andrea Przarempski Dionisio Serzigmiewski et Raphaele Mistkowski Canonicis Cracoviensibus, Stanislao Karnkowski Gnesnensi Vilnensis Canonico Parrecko Piotrkoviensi et Regni nostri Referendario, Vladislao Warschewiczki scholastico Gnesnensi cancellario Posnaniensi et Decano Zarniciensi, Joanne Zielinski de Sornkowo Posnaniensi Plocensi canonico, Trzaschinensi Kamionensi parrocho, Stiborio Krzikowski, Paulo Sthempowski et Luca Podosski Canonicis Cracoviensibus secretariis nostris. Et aliis quamplurimis dignitariis secretariis officialibus et aulicis nostris fidedignis testibus ad praemissa existentibus sincere grate et fidelibus nobis dilectis. Datum per manus Magnifici Ioannis de Oczijessmo Regni nostri Cancellarii, Cracoviensis generalis ac Osswyanczymensis Zathoriensis Sniatynensis tum Schamboriensis Olschtinensisque Capitanei et terrae Cracoviensis Succamerarii sincere nobis grateque dilecti. Ioannes Oczieski R[egni] P[oloniae] Canc[ellarius] [Nota kancelaryjna po prawej:] Ad Mandatum Ioannis de Oczijessmo Regni Polonia Cancellarii Cracoviensis generalis ac Sniatynensis Zathoriensis Ducatuum ac Schamboriensi Olschtinensis Capitanei [Adnotacja urzędowa galicyjska na plice:] Privilegium praesens apud Caes[areo] Reg[ium] Forum Nobilium Tabulas in Libro Instrum[entorum] Tomo 5 pag. 4. Inscript[um] atq[ue] H[a]er[editatis] 129 pag. 105. num. 1. haer[editatis] super pago Horożana cum vicinitate Intitulatum est. Actum Leopoli die 10. Juny 805. Anno. Cas[imirus] Jelgellewicz m[anu] p[ro]p[ria] [Druga pieczęć lakowa pod papierem na plice obok podpisu urzędnika galicyjskiego] [Verso:] [Adnotacja u góry po lewej:] praes: die 16 Martii 1804 Anno Ad Nro 6733 praes. 28. Julij 1804 No 11647 Inscribatur et intabuletur [Różne noty kancelaryjne, regesty i sygnatury z XVI–XIX w., m.in.:] 1563 Privilegium confirmationis cum declaratione thelonei pontalis in Wierzbysz Nro 347...