The Institution of Council of the Senate in the Political System of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the Rule of Ladislaus IV Vasa (1632–48)

Established under the Henrician Articles of 1573, institution Council Senate was supposed to be a standing advisory body rulers Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Over first few decades its existence, monarchs did not respect obligation appoint resident senators as Council’s members. This changed only in 1607, result conflict between king and estates Rebellion Sandomierz – events that mobilised nobility enforce monarch observe law this respect. Since beginning his reign, Ladislaus IV Vasa fairly readily convened meetings Council, at which members expressed their opinions on current problems. The deliberations were usually about state’s foreign policy, functioning internal security state, affairs war peace, military treasury, king’s or royal family’s private affairs, Commonwealth’s feoffs, matters related power elite. Resulting from monarch’s actions win popularity nobility-dominated society, Chamber Deputies started with time perceive an detrimental interest. consequently extort duty read out reports senatus consilia diet (sejm) forum. Consequently, upper chamber’s position weakened politicised process directly affected Poland-Lithuania’s political system, vastly contributing degeneration.