| Abstract [eng] |
Such political organization as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (further GDL) need to be analyzed both of political and cultural sizes. It is quite difficult aim. One of the way to find the answer to the question was it possible to made a carrier to an orthodox believer noble in the GDL is to made a genealogical investigation of one such family. So the main goal of this investigation is to find out how could the Bratosz – Zenowicz family made so brilliant carrier being in 15th century Lithuania strangers, came, as it is thinking, from Serbia or Moldavia? It is interesting to realize, when this particular family understand, that they are the members of this state and that they can reach the same goals that any other noble family. We have no enough sources about the question were the family already orthodox when came in the GDL or not. But we know precisely, that already in the end of the 16th century Jorge Zenowicz became a reformat. His son Christopher Zenowich connected in his hands both catholic and reformat beliefs. One of the most important question we need to answer is how did this family get its coat of arms? Was in one general process in all GDL? Analyzing all facts we can constant, that in spite of the act of Horodle, where a conception of coat of arms appeared in the GDL society, but only some families were able to get this sign of nobility, Zenowicz already in 1422 years formatted and confirmed the coat of arms of their own family. Creating the legend about their past, Zenowicz family reflected the fashion in the GDL noble class to find their roots between well known people and in Europe (for example, the legend about Palemon’s decedents between the most famous families in GDL). Bratosz – Zenowicz family appears in the GDL probably in the end of the 14th century. Being valued by the Grand Duke Vytautas for theirs loyalty, they have the first donation of the land. This first donation was near the central power of the Grand duke, what show as the confident on this family. They became an important link in the process of representing the power of the newly appearing country. First of all the lot became a good start in getting power in this new state. Living around these lands, Zenowicz family get a possibility to gain more and more land, so to became a great landowner. As the earlier center of this family was Mish estate, so the latest became Smurgainys. Through all of the 16 and the beginning of the 17 centuries it was the most important centre of this particular family. It is obvious, that, in spite of all the prohibitions of the Grand Duke, it was some possibilities to the orthodox nobility to get a high post. This genealogical research show as, that not being keen upon religious belief, most of the orthodox family could easily change they position. The main point is to understand what was the role of the religious beliefs in doing the carrier? That’s why we need to look up to the all family members in the end of the 14th – beginning of the 17th centuries. At the end of this work, there are some supplements to make this investigation visual and easily to understand. |
