Bajorystės dokumentų falsifikatorius Florijonas Levkovičius ir jo klientai Minsko vaivadijoje (XVIII a. pab.)

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Collection:
Mokslo publikacijos / Scientific publications
Document Type:
Knygos dalis / Part of the book
Language:
Lietuvių kalba / Lithuanian
Title:
Bajorystės dokumentų falsifikatorius Florijonas Levkovičius ir jo klientai Minsko vaivadijoje (XVIII a. pab.)
Alternative Title:
falsificator of documents of the nobility Florjan Lewkowicz and his clients in the Minsk Voivodeship (late 18th century)
Authors:
Ragauskas, Aivas
In the Book:
Surasti tiesą: pagalbiniai istorijos mokslai falsifikatų tyrime / sudarytoja Rūta Čapaitė. Vilnius : Lietuvos istorijos institutas, 2022. P. 351-393
Subject Category:
LT
1569-1795. Lietuva ATR laikotarpiu; 13 amžius - 1569. Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė. LDK; Dokumentai / Documents; Genealogija. Heraldika / Genealogy. Heraldry; Bajorai. Didikai. Valdovai / Gentry. Nobles. Kings; Baltarusija (Belarus); Lietuva (Lithuania).
Summary / Abstract:

LTStraipsnyje bajorystės įrodymų falsifikatų kontekste analizuojama bajorystės dokumentų falsifikatoriaus, Minsko vaivadijos bajoro kataliko Florijono Levkovičiaus (Florjan Lewko- wiczj biografija ir veikla, atskleidžiamas jo klientų sąrašas. Priede skelbiamas 1786 m. gegužės 5 d. advokato Romualdo Stankevičiaus pareiškimas dėl F. Levkovičiaus sufalsifikuotų herbų, genealogijų ir kitų dokumentų - svarbus bajorystės falsifikavimo Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje istorijos XVIII a. pab. šaltinis. Reikšminiai žodžiai: Florijonas Levkovičius, falsifikatai, genealogija, bajorystės įrodymai, Minskas. [Iš leidinio]

ENIn the context of falsifications of evidence of nobility, this article presents an analysis of the biography and activities of the Minsk Voivodeship nobleman and Catholic Florjan Lewkowicz, known for being a falsificator of documents proving nobility, also revealing his list of clients. The appendix contains a publication of the declaration made by lawyer Romualdas Stankevičius on 5 May 1786 regarding coats of arms, genealogies and other documents forged by Lewkowicz - it is an important late 18th century historical source on the falsification of noble status in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The nobleman and lawyer Lewkowicz (mentioned in 1786) was one of the most productive representatives of the nobility falsification “centre” that was Minsk in the late 18th century. It is likely that he was a “pupil” of Benedykt Oganowski and a scandalous Vilnius lawyer. The register of falsifications acted by Romualdas Stankevičius in 1786, published in the appendix to this study, and its analysis help to substantiate this conclusion. The research results show that in seeking profit and meeting the then growing demand for forged nobility documents, the falsificator Lewkowicz created coats of arms, genealogies and other documents proving noble status for various social groups - townspeople and peasants, as well as Uniate clergymen and local elders. He would receive payment of various amounts for this activity.The methods of Lewkowicz’s activities reflect the general model of how falsificators operated and help us learn more about him. He searched for clients in various places, travelling there, encouraging people to buy his falsified documents. He can be called a “professional” falsificator, a representative of the group of falsificators of the late 18th century in the GDL, who were mainly noblemen themselves. Having this status, and often trained as lawyers, such falsificators faced less risks, had more knowledge, connections and opportunities to legalise forged documents. They were often aided by corrupted court officials. Another reason why it was difficult to expose them was because they often coordinated their activities as lawyers and document falsificators, as their work required a great deal of historical and legal knowledge, time and funds. Only conflicts with influential figures, such as magnates or officials, posed a risk to their activities, that is, if the forgeries would in some way harm the former. Various attempts were made at stopping the falsificators’ activities: they were arrested, forgeries would be confiscated and acted in courts, thereby exposing their illegitimacy, and certain falsificators were even sentenced to imprisonment. Lewkowicz ended up being arrested by the Radziwiłł magnates’ officials, his forgeries were described and acted in a court. However, there is no data suggesting the clever lawyer ever received a prison sentence. It appears he had influential figures who could vouch for him. He is likely to have continued with his activities - both as a lawyer and as a falsificator. Given the huge social demand for having nobility documents, there was a steady stream of forgeries coming forth, which turned into a veritable river by the time of Russian rule. Keywords: Florijonas Levkovičius (Florjan Lewkowicz), falsifications, genealogy, evidence of nobility, Minsk. [From the publication]

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2023-10-23 19:57:03
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