Samogitian nobility

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Gabriel Narutowicz and Józef Piłsudski are among the best-known 20th century descendants of the Samogitian nobility
Gabriel Narutowicz and Józef Piłsudski are among the best-known 20th century descendants of the Samogitian nobility

The term Samogitian nobility refers to the noble class living in the region of Samogitia, in Lithuania. Historically, the local Polish-Lithuanian gentry was formed of people of various ethnic backgrounds, including Lithuanian, Polish, Tartar, German and Ruthenian[1].

As the Duchy of Samogitia maintained a certain level of autonomy within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth[2], its nobility was considered a separate subject of the laws, on par with the nobility of other lands of the Commonwealth[3].

Samogitian nobility, especially the lower class of it, preserved very well the knowledge of the Lithuanian language and the (Samogitian dialect).[4].

[edit] Trivia

It is a known fact that Józef Piłsudski, whose parents originated from Samogitia, from the early youth was taught by his family to to speak Lithuanian language[citation needed].


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[edit] Notes and references

In-line:
  1. ^ (Polish) Janusz Tazbir (2000). "Szlachta a teologowie", Państwo bez stosów i inne szkice. Kraków: Universitas, 393. ISBN 8370527515. , also published in English as: (English) Janusz Tazbir; Alexander T. Jordan (1973). A State Without Stakes. New York: Kościuszko Foundation, 232. DOI:10.2307/2497261. ISBN 0805761373. 
  2. ^ (English) Simas Suziedielis (1999). Samogitia. Postilla 400. The State Committee for theCommemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Postile. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
  3. ^ (Polish) Włodzimierz Budka (1921). "Kto podpisał Konfederację Warszawską 1573 r.?". Reformacja w Polsce 1 (4): 314–319. 
  4. ^ Aleksandravičius, Egidijus; Antanas Kulakauskas (1996). Carų valdžioje. ISBN 9986-403-69-3.