Post by August II "Mocny Sas" on Sept 18, 2016 16:16:29 GMT
Formally The Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the government of the realm was extraordinarily complicated, with regions of varying autonomy (from that of confederation, to federation, to colours in between). The three broad organisational regions were: the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Duchy of Courland. Each of which (excluding Courland which had its own organisation) was further divided into Wojewodstwie.
The Commonwealth was governed according to the principle of Zlota Wolnosc or "Golden Liberty", with each elected King forming a Pacta conventa with the nobility upon his election based on the Henrician Articles but with unique stipulations according to the election. The levers of government were the Sejm, the parliament of the nobility and legislature; and the King, who held executive authority. The Sejm was split into two parts, the Chamber of Envoys and the Senate. Membership of the Senate was comprised of Bishops, Wojewodzy, Castellands, and Royal Ministers (with only ministers chosen by the King). The Senate was supposed to act as a Privy Council, but in practice was far too large and instead acted as an upper house during Sejm meetings. The de facto Privy Council was the "Senate in Residence" who were a subset of the Senate selected by the King.
The Sejm had to be called at least once every two years, and had the authority to vote on any proprosed changes to legislation. Every member of Sejm has a veto, including in regional "Sejmiki" (Little Sejms). As in ancient Rome, this system has already begun to be abused...
In addition there are various other key areas of the Commonwealth's constitution:
1. Rokosz - the right of nobles to start insurrections if their rights are contravened
2. the Warsaw Confederation Act of 1573 guaranteed freedom of religion
3. Konfederacja - the right of nobles to form confederations to achieve political changes
The Senate in Residence (in order of precedence)
King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania - August II
Primate of Poland and Archbishop of Gniezno - Michal Stefan Radziejowski
Grand Marshal of the Crown
Grand Marshal of Lithuania
Grand Chancellor of the Crown
Grand Chancellor of Lithuania
Deputy Chancellor of the Crown
Deputy Chancellor of Lithuania
Grand Treasurer of the Crown
Grand Treasurer of Lithuania
Court Marshal of the Crown
Court Marshal of Lithuania
Castellans of Krakow, Wilno, and Trakai
Select Wojewodzowie & Bishops
The Commonwealth was governed according to the principle of Zlota Wolnosc or "Golden Liberty", with each elected King forming a Pacta conventa with the nobility upon his election based on the Henrician Articles but with unique stipulations according to the election. The levers of government were the Sejm, the parliament of the nobility and legislature; and the King, who held executive authority. The Sejm was split into two parts, the Chamber of Envoys and the Senate. Membership of the Senate was comprised of Bishops, Wojewodzy, Castellands, and Royal Ministers (with only ministers chosen by the King). The Senate was supposed to act as a Privy Council, but in practice was far too large and instead acted as an upper house during Sejm meetings. The de facto Privy Council was the "Senate in Residence" who were a subset of the Senate selected by the King.
The Sejm had to be called at least once every two years, and had the authority to vote on any proprosed changes to legislation. Every member of Sejm has a veto, including in regional "Sejmiki" (Little Sejms). As in ancient Rome, this system has already begun to be abused...
In addition there are various other key areas of the Commonwealth's constitution:
1. Rokosz - the right of nobles to start insurrections if their rights are contravened
2. the Warsaw Confederation Act of 1573 guaranteed freedom of religion
3. Konfederacja - the right of nobles to form confederations to achieve political changes
The Senate in Residence (in order of precedence)
King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania - August II
Primate of Poland and Archbishop of Gniezno - Michal Stefan Radziejowski
Grand Marshal of the Crown
Grand Marshal of Lithuania
Grand Chancellor of the Crown
Grand Chancellor of Lithuania
Deputy Chancellor of the Crown
Deputy Chancellor of Lithuania
Grand Treasurer of the Crown
Grand Treasurer of Lithuania
Court Marshal of the Crown
Court Marshal of Lithuania
Castellans of Krakow, Wilno, and Trakai
Select Wojewodzowie & Bishops