Queen Liberty:. The Concept of Freedom in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Studies in Central European Histories)

This book traces the history of an idea of freedom in political thought in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from its emergence following the Union of Lublin in 1569 to its collapse in 1795. Queen Liberty traces the history of an idea that lay at the foundation of political thought in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and at the same time a certain political myth that formed a core element of Polish noble culture.Anna Grześkowiak-Krwawicz seeks to trace the evolution of the ideal of “golden liberty” from the state's creation in the sixteenth century through to the distinctive degeneration of the idea and attempts at resuscitating it in the eighteenth century. She highlights what was different or even odd about the Polish concepts, as well as how they dovetailed into the broader European tradition stretching back to antiquity. This book broadens the European perspective of scholarship on the Republican tradition and presents the fascinating political thought of the ‘Republic of the Two Nations'. Queen Liberty: The Concept of Freedom in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Copyright Contents Introduction 1. The Polish Szlachta and Their State 2. Golden Liberty—A Noble Privilege or Universal Idea? 3. The Pillars of Freedom 4. Freedom in Peril 5. What Was Wrong with Polish Liberty? 6. From Defending Liberty—to Fighting for Liberty Author Profiles Bibliography Index The Polish Szlachta And Their State -- Golden Liberty : A Noble Privilege Or Universal Idea? -- The Pillars Of Freedom -- Freedom In Peril -- What Was Wrong With Polish Liberty? -- From Defending Liberty To Fighting For Liberty. By Anna Grześkowiak-krwawicz ; Translated From Polish By Daniel J. Sax. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.