Inność Litwina. Odmienności w Rzeczypospolitej na podstawie polskich dzienników z okresu wojen moskiewskich Stefana Batorego

ENThe aim of this essay is to analyze the view of Lithuanians by Poles and the process of the constructions of the identity of these two peoples at the start of the sixteenth century. In it I concentrate on the description of the relations of Poles with Lithuanians at the time of Stefan Batory’s Muscovite War. In the opinion of the Polish authors of the diaries analyzed here, Lithuanians were overbearing, proud, and vain. They were accused of refusing to help Poles, who were their allies, and of being tardy in action. For the Polish authors describing the events of Batory’s military ventures, they were uncertain allies, inclined to revolt even against the King. The most serious accusation made was one that Lithuanians betrayed the state. This antipathy is not reflected in Poles’ relations with other allies in the Muscovite Wars - the Hungarians, the Germans, the Scots. Poles, constructing their own image and identity in opposition to the Lithuanian, appeared as modest, trustworthy, zealous, faithful, and ready to sacrifice themselves for their state and king. I have not found a single positive opinion of Lithuanians in the sources analyzed. In these texts, being a Pole meant, to a large degree, to be different from the Lithuanian. Not even of the enemies, the Muscovites, do authors write so negatively. [From the publication]