[Forum Game] - Commonwealth in Chaos

[m.equitum]

Congratulations to the House of Lubomirski​

Dear Uncle Lubomirski,

In celebration of your appointment as Vovoide of Wolynskie, please accept the enclosed gift from the House of Sieniawski. My faithful scribe compiled the family tree which links our two families. May the ancestral timber grow strong as oak, and may its gilded leaves continue to flourish.

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

 

[GreatUberGeek]

I congratulate my new king, and wish him well in the ruling of the Commonwealth. I also thank him for my appointment to the Grand Chancellorship of Lithuania.
Jan Gozordski

 

[Spectre17]

We have heard most disturbing reports recently that some of our loyal nobility have been contacted by Augustus, Elector of Saxony, with the goal of revolting against the rightful and elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. This is most troublesome and we hope that all loyal Poles and Lithuanians will remain true. We must never have a German as King or our Commonwealth would be forced to submit to a German invader and would grow weaker until our greatest enemy could destroy us entirely. In order to ensure this plot will not be successful we are dispatching our loyal subject, Jan Gozordski, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania to negotiate with the Russian Tsar Peter and Andrzej Rafał Sokoloff, Grand Chancellor of the Crown to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna. We will also begin the preparation for a possible defensive war against Saxony. Any man who supports this most vile of plots will be punished as a traitor to the Commonwealth.

God save the Commonwealth!

His Royal Majesty, Jakub I Sobieski, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania and Prince of Olawa

 

[m.equitum]

Letter to Pan. Lehmann​

Dear Sir,

The House of Sieniawski is interested in borrowing a sum of Cz.10,000 from the Lehmann Bank, and hopes to correspond with Pan. Lehmann (or another representative of the esteemed financial institution) in further detail. Our preliminary inquiry, in this letter, it to ascertain whether the Lehmann Bank will be issuing loans at the present time.

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

 

[baboushreturns]

Letter to Pan. Lehmann​

Dear Sir,

The House of Sieniawski is interested in borrowing a sum of Cz.10,000 from the Lehmann Bank, and hopes to correspond with Pan. Lehmann (or another representative of the esteemed financial institution) in further detail. Our preliminary inquiry, in this letter, it to ascertain whether the Lehmann Bank will be issuing loans at the present time.

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

The bank is issuing loans at this time but if Cz. 10,000 is lended we will need it back in a timely manner with interest.

 

[m.equitum]

OOC: I'm trying to send in orders, but it says that Imperator cannot receive further messages.

 

[Bialaska]

((OOC: While waiting for the inbox to be cleared, I have one question: Is it possible to construct more than one estate/building in the same personal action?))

 

[Noco19]

Praw Osób
Act of the Confederation​

I. The historic rights owed to the inhabitants of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth must remain in place, and actively protected.

• A) All such rights are paramount, with the keystones of Praw Osób focus being:

1. The rights of the nobility
2. The rights of all religions
3. The rights of all ethnic groups​

II. The integrity of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth must remain a chief concern.

• A) This responsibility of such protection must be shouldered through:

1. The Crown, by facilitating amicable relations with foreign powers who seek friendship, and showcasing resolve towards those who seek conflict
2. The Nobility, by maintaining well-trained militias, and by working cohesively against factors that would undermine the power of the Commonwealth​

 

[firelordsky]

On the behalf of the Curonian Kings, I hereby express my desire to join the Praw Osób Confederation.

~Māris Dragūns

 

[Noco19]

I, Lech Franciszek, of the House Czacki, swear upon my honor to uphold the tenants espoused by the Praw Osób Confederation, in both its Act of Confederation and subsequent resolutions passed in its name. Through these tenants, I will strive for a Commonwealth unfettered with Royal Autocracy and Persecution, a Commonwealth possessing the strength to fulfill the protection of its People, both Common and Noble alike, a Commonwealth to last forever with proper Rights for all.

Upon this Oath, I do affix my signature:

Lech Franciszek Czacki

 

[firelordsky]

I, Māris Dragūns, of the House Dragūns, do hereby swear upon my honor and dignity to uphold the tenants espoused by the Praw Osób Confederation, in both its Act of Confederation and subsequent resolutions passed in its name. Through these tenants, I will strive for a Commonwealth unfettered with Royal Autocracy and Persecution, a Commonwealth possessing the strength to fulfill the protection of its People, both Common and Noble alike, a Commonwealth to last forever with proper Rights for all.

Upon this Oath, I affix my signature:

~Māris Dragūns

 

[Dadarian]

I, Jan Dobrogost Krasiński, on behalf of House of Krasiński swear upon my honor to uphold the tenants espoused by the Praw Osób Confederation, in both its Act of Confederation and subsequent resolutions passed in its name. Through these tenants, I will strive for a Commonwealth unfettered with Royal Autocracy and Persecution, a Commonwealth possessing the strength to fulfill the protection of its People, both Common and Noble alike, a Commonwealth to last forever with proper Rights for all.

Upon this Oath, I do affix my signature:


~ Voivode Jan Dobrogost Krasiński of Płock, Royal Colonel & Recorder of the Crown

 

[m.equitum]

Regarding the Praw Osób Confederation ​

In 1632, His Majesty, the late Jan II Kazimierz Waza, wrote:

In matters concerning the Christian religion, we pledge to maintain peace amongst and towards the Christian dissidents [inter dissidentes in religione Christiana]. . . provided that the rights of the Roman Catholic Church were not violated [Salvis Iuribus Ecclesiae Catholicae Romanae integra] in this peace and security of these dissidents to the Christian religion.

There are two important elements in the statement, which forms part of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.

• First, that it recognises the primacy of the Roman Catholic Creed within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
• Second, that peace is to be maintained towards Christian dissidents.

Article A. II of the proposed Praw Osób Confederation could be interpreted to be inconsistent with the 1632 proclamation, if the rights of all religions is to be understood to apply:

• to religions outside those generally classified as Christian
• to all religious equally, without the caveat for the pre-eminence of the Roman creed as per the 1632 statement

The content of Article A.II is not simply a concern for jurists, but one with political ramifications as well.. It was at the behest of the late pontiff, Pope Innocent XI, that our Commonwealth joined the Holy Alliance against the Ottoman aggressors. Indeed, our late king, the father of our current illustrious monarch, was awarded the title of Defender of the Faith for his triumph against our Mohammedan enemy. The terms of the Praw Osób Confederation surely cannot be suggesting that the Commonwealth grants the religion of our dread enemies, the Turk, the same rights and privileges as is presently extended to the various Christian denominations.

A similar concern is raised by Article A.III, regarding the rights of all ethnic groups. Not unlike questions surrounding the rights of all religions, the scope of this article is also a matter for some consideration. There is, doubtless, an interest in making the many ethnic and religious minorities feel welcome within the borders of the Commonwealth. However, to simply extend rights to these populations—without consideration as to their loyalty and without provisions to suspend these rights—presents certain dangers. Our enemies would readily infiltrate the Commonwealth if the rights and privileges granted to the Polish nobility were to be extended to all ethnicities. First they’d claim their estates, and soon they’d claim the Crown itself, and then what becomes of our sacred Commonwealth?

The House of Sieniawski invites those parties having already signed the Praw Osób Confederation to clarify the meaning of the clauses outlined above. We are, at present, hesitant to swear an oath.

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

 

[Sneakyflaps]

((I hereby resign))

 

[Dadarian]

snip

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

The Sieniawski are hesitant to guarantee the rights of nobles and the aristocracy? Hardly surprising.

Your fixation on some heretic paupers and peasants on the fringes of Curonia truly boggles my mind. Us Poles need not to mind, nor care for any of these others. The Curonian Dukes can do it on their own, through their own pocket.

If you have any issues, come to Płock and we can discuss over a proper glass of wine.

~ Voivode Jan Dobrogost Krasiński of Płock, Royal Colonel & Recorder of the Crown

 

[Noco19]

The Act of Confederation for the Praw Osób Confederation has elicited a response that I hope to address.

Article A. II does indeed push forward religious tolerance, the same tolerance found within the Henrician Articles of 1573, a collection of eighteen articles that every king-elect must swear upon since the days of King Henry of Valois. Out of these articles lies an oath to abide by the religious tolerance brought by the Warsaw Confederation, which experienced the combined support of multiple religious communities, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and yes, even Moslems. The Henrician Articles harken to our traditional rights, accurately encompassing the exact goal of Praw Osób.

Of other note, I graciously accept the membership of Māris Dragūns and Jan Dobrogost Krasiński, and hereby elevate those two men into the ranks of the konsyliarz konfederacji, the official advisors of the Confederation.

- Voivode Lech Franciszek Czacki of Brest-Litovsk, Marshal of the Praw Osób Confederation

 

[Dadarian]

The Act of Confederation for the Praw Osób Confederation has elicited a response that I hope to address.

Article A. II does indeed push forward religious tolerance, the same tolerance found within the Henrician Articles of 1573, a collection of eighteen articles that every king-elect must swear upon since the days of King Henry of Valois. Out of these articles lies an oath to abide by the religious tolerance brought by the Warsaw Confederation, which experienced the combined support of multiple religious communities, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and yes, even Moslems. The Henrician Articles harken to our traditional rights, accurately encompassing the exact goal of Praw Osób.

Of other note, I graciously accept the membership of Māris Dragūns and Jan Dobrogost Krasiński, and hereby elevate those two men into the ranks of the konsyliarz konfederacji, the official advisors of the Confederation.

- Voivode Lech Franciszek Czacki of Brest-Litovsk, Marshal of the Praw Osób Confederation

I humbly accept the title, and will defend the Confederation with my levies and my moneys.

~ Voivode Jan Dobrogost Krasiński of Płock, Royal Colonel, Konsyliarz Konfederacji & Recorder of the Crown

 

[alexander23]

((Imperator inbox is full so will just send orders when you post is open))

 

[m.equitum]

Regarding Statements by the Esteemed Krasiński​

The Sieniawski are hesitant to guarantee the rights of nobles and the aristocracy? Hardly surprising.

With the greatest respect for the House of Krasiński, we wish to clarify that our concern is not with regards to guaranteeing the rights of the aristocracy.

Prince Krasiński will recall that the Family Sieniawski fought loyally against the Turk under the banner of our late King, and will continue to serve the incumbent Sobieski monarch with all our strength. We hope that our faithful service to the Crown is not being interpreted as somehow failing to fully affirm the rights of the Polish nobility.

Furthermore, the House of Sieniawski is not fixated with the peasantry in Courland. While we see it as the responsibility of all noblemen to remain mindful of the welfare of their souls and to uphold good moral standards, my commentary was with regards to the Turk and not the inhabitants of Courland. In fact, Courlanders were not at all mentioned in my enquiry.

I have put forward questions regarding the nature of two clauses in the proposed oath, and made a simple request for clarification as to their meeting. I would happily journey to Płock to discuss the matter further.

Regarding Statements by the Esteemed Czacki ​

We appreciate the statements of the House of Czacki clarifying the intent of the Praw Osób. The revered Henrician Articles (1573) are an integral part of the legal patrimony of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and are to be considered the operational framework through which the policies and promulgations of our Monarch and Sejm are to be interpreted.

To be clear: I am in no way opposed to religious toleration.

Out of these articles lies an oath to abide by the religious tolerance brought by the Warsaw Confederation

For example, the House of Sieniawski fully accepts the Statute of Kalisz (1573)—which granted religious rights to people of the Jewish faith—put forward by the Warsaw Confederation. Indeed, religious toleration was a necessary precondition for the formation of the Commonwealth.

The Henrician Articles zobowiązywały króla do przestrzegania tolerancji religijnej [obliged the King to respect religious toleration].

Yet it has never been understood that this obligation should grant religious equality to all religions, as evidenced by the 1632 Proclamation (cited previously) and the 1666 decision by the Sejm to make illegal the conversion from Catholicism to other faiths.

Indeed, King Henry of Valois, himself, converted to Catholicism. We dare to hope that the proposed Praw Osób Confederation is not, under the guise of religious toleration, attempting to pave the way for a foreign, non-Catholic prince (such as the Duke of Saxony) to seize the Throne.

Before we can consider signing the proposed Praw Osób Confederation, what needs to be clarified is the definition of what religious and ethnic toleration means in practical terms. The House of Sieniawski is fully willing to sign such a document once we better understand its implications for the Commonwealth.

Adam Mikołaj Sieniawski​

 

[Bialaska]

I fail to see the need for this new Confederation, which seems to fullfill the same purpose as the Sejm. The nobility already got many rights, and as evidenced by the Lubomirski Rebellion of 1666, we possess more than enough power to reinforce these rights. After my family beat the Vasa king, he was forced to abdicate.

The demands for religious rights seem to be something which should be brought into the Sejm, and would perhaps be open up for a faction within our ranks.

Josef Karol Lubomirski, Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, Voivode of Wolynski