The Evolution of the laws regulating access to forests and aquatic resources of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until the mid-16th century

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LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė; Valdovai; Valdos; Miškai; Vandens telkiniai; Pajamos; Iždas; Mokesčiai. Keywords: The Great Duchy of Lithuania; Monarchs; Domains; Forests; Aquatic resurces; Incomes; The Treasury; Taxes.Reikšminiai žodžiai: 13 amžius; 14 amžius; 15 amžius; 16 amžius; Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (LDK; Grand Duchy of Lithuania; GDL); Jogailaičiai (Jagiellonian dynasty); Vandens ištekliai; Miško ištekliai; Teisinis reguliavimas; Apsauga; Naudojimas; 13th century; 14th century; 15th century; 16th century; Aquatic resources; Forest resources; Legal regulations; Protection; Use.

ENIn the 13th and the 14th century, grand dukes had exclusive rights to the forests and aquatic resources of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They maintained these rights in the 15th century despite the fact that the rights to royal forests and aquatic had been widely distributed since the reign of Vytautas. Beginning in the second decade of the 16th century, grand dukes became increasingly interested in the productivity of land belonging to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, in particular forests and aquatic resources. Their concern was largely motivated by the financial burden placed on the Lithuanian treasury in connection with the Muscovite- Lithuanian wars and the economic reforms implemented by Queen Bona and Sigismundus II Augustus. The monarchs passed laws regulating access to royal land in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. These regulations improved the management of royal land, protected forests against illegal logging and prevented excessive exploitation of water fauna (especially fish). [From the publication]