Kauno miesto savivalda 1408-1508 metais

Abstract

The following questions are discussed: the development of Kaunas administrative institutions from 1408 when the privileges of Vytautas formed the foundation of self-government, to 1508 when Žygimantas the Old signed the privileges that finished the developing stage of self-government structures. The basis of the reseach is the privileges and signed documents of the Dukes sent to Kaunas. These sources show the development of the relations between the sovereign and the town and its partners-nobility, other towns, guests and merchants-according to the reglamentation of these affairs in the sovereign’s documents. The privilege of 1408 legitimated the self-government of Kaunas community and legal, administrative and economic district of the town. During the period of a hundred years the main concerns were the following: 1) to preserve and consolidate the juridical immunity; 2) to protect the town’s commercial interests, limiting the guests’ trade; 3)to expand and preserve the town domain. Kaunas entered the New Ages, having fulfilled all these points.