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Problems of the GLD Cultural History

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Problems of the GLD Cultural History VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY Marius Sirutavičius Problems of the GLD Cultural History DIDACTICAL GUIDELINES Kaunas, 2013 Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Vaida Kamuntavičienė Approved by the Department of History of the Faculty of Humanities at Vytautas Magnus University on 30 November 2012 (Protocol No. 3–2) Recommended for printing by the Council of the Faculty of Humanities of Vytau- tas Magnus University on 28 December 2012 (Protocol No. 8–6) Translated and edited by UAB “Lingvobalt” Publication of the didactical guidelines is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Project title: “Renewal and Internationalization of Bachelor Degree Programmes in History, Ethnology, Philosophy and Political Science” (project No.: VP1-2.2-ŠMM-07-K-02-048) © Marius Sirutavičius, 2013 ISBN 978-9955-21-364-2 © Vytautas Magnus University, 2013 Table of Contents Introduction . 5 Topic 1. Religious and Cultural Transformations of the Lithu- anian Pagan Society in the Period from the End of the 14th Century to the Beginning of the 16th Century . 7 Topic 2. Factors of the Cultural Change and Ways for the Spread of Cultural Innovations in the GDL in the Period from the 15th Century to the First Half of the 16th Century . 12 Topic 3. The Reformation and Ideas of Social Life Modernisa- tion in the GDL in the 16th century . 21 Topic 4. Cultural Innovations and Their Relationship with the Reformation in the Period from the Second Half of the16th Century to the Beginningof the 17th Century. 30 Topic 5. The Catholic Reformation and Its Influence on the Cultural Development of the GDL(the Period from the Sec- ond Half of the 16th Century to the First Half of the 17th Cen- tury) . 36 Topic 6. Ways of Spread of Elements of the Baroque Artistic Culture in the GDL and Their Functioning in the Society of That Time. The Period from the End of the th16 Century to the 17th Century . 41 Topic 7. Development of theVisual Culture during theGDL Ba- roque Period . 46 3 Topic 8. Dissemination of Enlightenment Ideas and Cultural Changes in the GDL in the Second Half of the 18th Century 50 Topic 9. Nobles of the GDL in the Period from the 16th Century to theFirst Half of the 18th Century:Life Style and Ideals . 56 Topic 10. Peculiarities of Cultural Development in the Urban Environment of the GDL . 61 Topic 11. Peasantry Communities of the GDL: Features of So- ciocultural Development . 67 Topic 12. Non-Christian Communities in the GDL Culture . 73 Expanded bibliography: . 79 Introduction The culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is a multilayer struc- ture; its studies are related to many complicated and heterogeneous cultural processes and phenomena that marked different phases of cultural development during one or another period of time. The ob- ject of studies – problems of cultural history in the GDL – is intend- ed for discussion and analysis of different phenomena of the history of the Lithuanian culture, which had a unique significance for the development of the society. The initial chronological margins of the study object are related to the turning point – the Christianisation of a pagan country that started in the 16th century, and the final margin reaches the end of the 18th century – a period of the statehood collapse. Even though the layout of the topics of the course basically reflects the principle of the chronological sequence, it is not focused on the reproduction of consistent cultural development. Many topics over- lap chronologically and in some cases they include almost the whole period of the time studied. Fundamental processes of the cultural change or cultural phenomena that had a unique significance were selected and linked with a specific context of historical development through the analysis of political, social, economic, religious, and ethnic factors that determined cultural changes. Adequate attention is paid to links with regional cultural development tendencies. Even though the cultural history problems in the GDL studied during the course attracted sufficient attention in the historiography of Lithuania and other countries, works generalizing and synthesis- ing specific researches are still missing, and a very small number of research results have been published in the English language. There- 5 Problems of the GLD Cultural History fore, the main purpose of these didactical guidelines is to present basic information on each topic, which would lay the foundation for the analysis of separate problems and would help to orientate one- self in complex processes and phenomena of the GDL culture. The arrangement of the material is organized by dividing separate top- ics into smaller parts whose titles reflect essential problematic ques- tions of a specific topic. A brief list of scientific publications is pro- vided for each topic if research results published in them were used for the preparation of the study material. References to the specific scientific literature are also presented to students willing to deepen knowledge in one or another problematic area independently. An expanded bibliography of the study object focused on students analysing the topic of GDL cultural history in independent paper works is provided at the end of the didactical guidelines. However, in case of a major interest in one or another topic, the best way is to consult the lecturer who will always be able to advise on how to select the scientific publications necessary for the paper or where to find additional literature. Topic 1. Religious and Cultural Transformations of the Lithuanian Pagan Society in the Period from the End of the 14th Century to the Beginning of the 16th Century We can assume the baptism of Lithuania and the accompanying pro- cess of the Christianization that started at the end of the 14th century to be a turning point that brought essential changes in the life of the state and the society. Political and social changes were followed by cultural changes that radically altered not only the worldview, world outlook, values, but also behavioural norms and the daily life of the former pagan society. During a historically short period of time, ele- ments of the Christian culture that emerged in Europe during the late Middle Ages were transferred to the cultural environment of Lithuania. Obviously not all forms of the Christian culture have been developed there; a different content would often be adapted to the forms overtaken during the reception process. According to many researches, a classic European model of the medieval culture did not form. In order to understand the nature of the new cultural model, it is necessary to look at different circumstances of the Lithuanian pro- cess of the Christianization – a relationship of paganism and Chris- tianity before baptism, the campaign of baptism and reactions of the pagan society to the on-going changes, the course of the Christian- ization and the destiny of the old faith, the functioning of structures initiating and supporting the spread of cultural elements.. Relationship between Paganism and Christianity in Pre-Christian Lithuania Researchers often raise a question why Lithuanians that had pre- served paganism for quite a long time did not fight against a new faith in a more serious manner, and, of course, under several condi- tions we can assume that the campaign of baptism that started in 7 Problems of the GLD Cultural History Vilnius in 1387 was peaceful and painless, which did not divide the society. In a way, that could be explained by the fact that a system of beliefs hostile to Christianity did not exist in the Lithuanian pagan- ism. By being a part of an illiterate culture, the pagan faith was not closed to different influences, as well as Christianity. Paganism coexisted in one country together with the Chris- tian Orthodox faith for a long time. Even though the nuclear of the GDL comprised ethnical lands of Lithuania from the very be- ginning, this state was multicultural and was based on more than one culture. Its residents differed by religion: the most important groups of residents were pagan Lithuanians and Easter Orthodox Slavs. The number of the latter constantly increased after the GDL was spreading to the East. The members of the dynasty that left to manage the lands connected would often accept the Orthodox faith and would become dukes for local residents. Therefore, a part of the branches of the ruling dynasty was Christian. The spread of Orthodoxy among dukes of Slavic lands and their environment familiarized them with a Slavic written language, Orthodox litur- gy and ecclesiastical art. Slavic lands can be considered a source providing knowledge about Christianity, an example of the former model of the Christian culture. Taking into consideration that an area of constant contacts with Orthodox people prophesying Christianity existed in the state, it should not be forgotten that in the west Lithuania bordered with Catholic countries, and the Latin Christianity was faced not only in the international environment through diplomatic contacts but also during the missions of the faith dissemination. On the side of Catho- lics we can see determined attempts to announce religious truths regardless of vital threats. In this area the members of the Francis- can Order distinguished themselves most in the 16th century. It can be said that Franciscans contributed most actively to Evangelism of Lithuanians both before baptism of Lithuanians in 1387 and imme- diately after it. Besides, constant attempts of Poland to expand its own influence as well as the influence of the Catholic Church in the east can be mentioned from the times of the reign of the Polish King Casimir the Great. It can be supposed that at least the elite of the society was familiarized with Christianity.
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