FUNCTIONING OF THE MAGISTRATE OF ZOLOCHIV IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE 17-th CENTURY
Authors: BASHTEVYCH Yaroslav 
Published: December 2024

The article investigates the operations of the magistrate in Zolochiv during the late 17th century under the governance of Magdeburg Law. Many landowners within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth sought the king's approval to grant Magdeburg Law to their towns, recognizing its superior management and revenue-generating potential. This article underscores the significance of local self-government in fostering not only the economic development of the town but also the prosperity of its inhabitants.
The implementation of German law in Zolochiv exhibited a limited scope, as it was contingent upon the authority of the castle administrator (Zolochiv podstarosty) and the town elder (voyt), both of whom were appointees of Jan Sobieski, the town's owner. These officials held the power to appoint two councillors and two jurors. Nonetheless, the municipal self-government provided the townspeople with the autonomy to manage their “small homeland,” facilitating the town's recovery from natural disasters or wars within a few years.
The central thesis of the article is to explore the practical functioning of the magistrate in a privately-owned town governed by Magdeburg Law. Authority within the town was vested in the magistrate, comprising a council and a jury board known as the scabinatus. Although the jury board was intended to consist of seven elected jurors, the actual number varied from six to nine, owing to the inclusion of senior jurors who mentored newly elected members. The jury board's primary duty was to hold court sessions under the oversight of the town elder or his deputy (viceadvocatus), appointed as needed.
The town elder (advocatus), typically appointed from the nobility, was the chief official of the town. Archival sources reveal that several individuals held this position, but from 1670 to 1703, it was consistently occupied by a burgher, Lukasz Wawrynowicz, who consolidated considerable power. This position was highly lucrative, as the town elder not only presided over the court but also engaged in various aspects of self-government.
The municipal council consisted of four councillors, with equal representation from the Polish and Ruthenian communities. Each councillor alternately served as the chairman (proconsul) on a quarterly basis. The council managed vital aspects of the town’s livelihood, including organizing the guard, conducting fairs, and inspecting guilds. The councillors were also responsible for the town's finances, although there were instances where they did not utilize funds for the townspeople’s benefit and even instances of power abuse.
Elections for the magistrate were held in the spring, with elected officials serving one-year terms. It was not uncommon for some townspeople to be elected to the magistrate multiple times, ranging from 10 to 20 terms. Town servants, such as writers, distributores, and electores (tax officials), also played significant roles in the magistrate's office, though there is limited data on their activities.
The privileges granted to the town clearly delineated the competencies of the various branches of the magistrate, as well as those of municipal and castle officials. However, in practice, the powers of government officials often overlapped, and a shared magistrate minutebook was maintained. Despite certain restrictions inherent in Magdeburg Law, the practical activities of the magistrate significantly contributed to the development of Zolochiv.
Keywords: Zolochiv, magistrate, town elder (advocatus), jurors (scabinatus), councillors, writer (notarius), town election, court.