Jan Zabrzeziński
Encyclopedia
Jan Jurjewicz Zabrzeziński or Zaberezhsky (murdered on February 2, 1508) was a noble of Leliwa coat of arms from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
, who achieved height of his influence during the reign of Alexander Jagiellon
(1492–1506). He was duke's marshal (1482–1496), regent of Polatsk
(1484–1496), castellan
of Trakai
(1492–1498), voivode of Trakai (1498–1505), and Grand Marshal of Lithuania (1498–1508). Zabrzeziński was married to Anna, daughter of Jan, elder of Brest
and Hrodna
.
In the period 1476–1492, he witnessed three legal acts by the Grand Duke and was sent to two diplomatic missions (to the Grand Duchy of Moscow
in 1484 and Kingdom of Poland
in 1486). In 1501, as a member of the Lithuanian Council of Lords
, he supported the proposed Union of Mielnik
. Soon Zabrzeziński began a political rivalry with Michael Glinski
, a quickly-rising favorite of Alexander Jagiellon. In 1504, under Glinski's influence, Alexander confiscated land possessions of Zabrzeziński's son-in-law near Lida
. The conflict was soon suppressed by Alexander, who imposed large fines and removed Zabrzeziński from all of his positions (Grand Marshal, Voivode, Council of Lords). However, soon Zabrzeziński was reinstated as the Grand Marshal and received a generous benefice.
During the Battle of Kletsk against the Golden Horde
in August 1506, Zabrzeziński disagreed with Glinki's command of the Lithuanian army and his men attacked first. They were easily defeated by the Tatars, who mockingly displayed severed heads of the Zabrzeziński's men. This disrespect enraged the remainder of the Lithuanian army, which attacked and soundly defeated the Horde.
After Alexander's death in August 1506, Zabrzeziński accused Glinski of high treason and of poisoning Alexander. As the new King Sigismund I the Old
did not clear his name, Glinski ordered Zabrzeziński killed in his residence near Hrodna in February 1508. This event is considered the beginning of the Glinski's revolt against Sigismund I, which became part of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
.
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
, who achieved height of his influence during the reign of Alexander Jagiellon
Alexander Jagiellon
Alexander of the House of Jagiellon was the Grand Duke of Lithuania and later also King of Poland. He was the fourth son of Casimir IV Jagiellon...
(1492–1506). He was duke's marshal (1482–1496), regent of Polatsk
Polatsk
Polotsk , is a historical city in Belarus, situated on the Dvina river. It is the center of Polotsk district in Vitsebsk Voblast. Its population is more than 80,000 people...
(1484–1496), castellan
Castellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Trakai
Trakai
Trakai is a historic city and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies 28 km west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. Trakai is the administrative centre of Trakai district municipality. The town covers 11.52 km2 of...
(1492–1498), voivode of Trakai (1498–1505), and Grand Marshal of Lithuania (1498–1508). Zabrzeziński was married to Anna, daughter of Jan, elder of Brest
Brest, Belarus
Brest , formerly also Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk , is a city in Belarus at the border with Poland opposite the city of Terespol, where the Bug River and Mukhavets rivers meet...
and Hrodna
Hrodna
Grodno or Hrodna , is a city in Belarus. It is located on the Neman River , close to the borders of Poland and Lithuania . It has 327,540 inhabitants...
.
In the period 1476–1492, he witnessed three legal acts by the Grand Duke and was sent to two diplomatic missions (to the Grand Duchy of Moscow
Grand Duchy of Moscow
The Grand Duchy of Moscow or Grand Principality of Moscow, also known in English simply as Muscovy , was a late medieval Rus' principality centered on Moscow, and the predecessor state of the early modern Tsardom of Russia....
in 1484 and Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)
The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state created by the accession of Jogaila , Grand Duke of Lithuania, to the Polish throne in 1386. The Union of Krewo or Krėva Act, united Poland and Lithuania under the rule of a single monarch...
in 1486). In 1501, as a member of the Lithuanian Council of Lords
Lithuanian Council of Lords
The Lithuanian Council of Lords was the main permanent institution of central government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania active in its capital city of Vilnius....
, he supported the proposed Union of Mielnik
Union of Mielnik
The Act of Mielnik or Union of Mielnik was an attempt to unite the Kingdom of Poland with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1501. It was not ratified by the Lithuanian Seimas or by the Polish Sejm . The Act of Mielnik remained just a political project...
. Soon Zabrzeziński began a political rivalry with Michael Glinski
Michael Glinski
Michael Glinski was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of distant Tatar extraction who was also a tutor of his nephew, Ivan the Terrible. As a young man, Glinski served in the court of Emperor Maximilian I and earned distinction for his military service. Around 1498 he returned to Lithuania...
, a quickly-rising favorite of Alexander Jagiellon. In 1504, under Glinski's influence, Alexander confiscated land possessions of Zabrzeziński's son-in-law near Lida
Lida
Lida is a city in western Belarus in Hrodna Voblast, situated 160 km west of Minsk. It is the fourteenth largest city in Belarus.- Etymology :...
. The conflict was soon suppressed by Alexander, who imposed large fines and removed Zabrzeziński from all of his positions (Grand Marshal, Voivode, Council of Lords). However, soon Zabrzeziński was reinstated as the Grand Marshal and received a generous benefice.
During the Battle of Kletsk against the Golden Horde
Golden Horde
The Golden Horde was a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate that formed the north-western sector of the Mongol Empire...
in August 1506, Zabrzeziński disagreed with Glinki's command of the Lithuanian army and his men attacked first. They were easily defeated by the Tatars, who mockingly displayed severed heads of the Zabrzeziński's men. This disrespect enraged the remainder of the Lithuanian army, which attacked and soundly defeated the Horde.
After Alexander's death in August 1506, Zabrzeziński accused Glinski of high treason and of poisoning Alexander. As the new King Sigismund I the Old
Sigismund I the Old
Sigismund I of Poland , of the Jagiellon dynasty, reigned as King of Poland and also as the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1506 until 1548...
did not clear his name, Glinski ordered Zabrzeziński killed in his residence near Hrodna in February 1508. This event is considered the beginning of the Glinski's revolt against Sigismund I, which became part of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
The Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars The conflicts are referred to as 'Muscovite wars' in Polish historiography and as 'Lithuanian wars' in Russian one; English historiography uses both, ex...
.