Kauniečiai XVII a. šeštojo dešimtmečio suirutės metu

Abstract

Kaunas was captured by Russians on August 18, 1655. In September 1655 the city was taken by Swedes for several days. Shortly after, however, it was recaptured by the Russians. The situation that the Kaunas dwellers found themselves in is not easy to reveal due to the fact that many sources had been lost. Thus, the relevant generalisations are not thorough; moreover, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Nevertheless, it has been established that the dwellers of Kaunas fled to the Duchy of Prussia, others retreated to Kėdainiai. Part of the inhabitants of Kaunas decided to collaborate with the enemies. The collaboration with Swedes, according to the official political stand of the State, was treated as treason and Kaunas dwellers accused of that should have been punished. However, some dwellers of the town were rewarded for their loyalty to the King and the Republic. On December 26, 1661 the Lithuanian Army liberated Kaunas.