This article attempts to show how the manifestation of ancestors was expressed in the genealogical awareness of the nobility in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, using publications to mark special occasions in the 17th and 18th centuries, genealogical trees and diagrams. The research seeks to establish what effect the exaltation of various battles had on the genealogical memory of the nobility in the Grand Duchy, bearing in mind the context of its involvement in one of the most famous battles it ever fought. The genealogical sources mentioned were examined in order to ascertain which battles and what memories of the commanders who fought in them were important to the genealogical awareness of the nobility, and why this memory was selective, for some battles and notable heroes from these battles are remembered and glorified, while others are simply forgotten. Memories of which battles were important to the genealogical presentation of certain families, how was it expressed, and in what period were the ancestors who participated in these battles remembered?The first part of the study presents the memory of ancestors as soldiers, and the ways this memory was expressed. The second part focuses on ancestors who distinguished themselves in specific battles, and which family members who participated in battles are remembered and honoured, in this way distinguishing them from other ancestors.
The Centaur or Hippocentaur in the heraldry of the nobility of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania has been little investigated. This theme is a not yet fully exhausted granary of heraldic studies, which, due to the lack of primary sources, raises more questions than it has answers for scholars. The question of where and in what way the Centaur, which later turned into a Hippocentaur, appeared in the heraldry of the nobility of the GDL remains a blank spot in historiography. This article discusses the history and symbolism of centaurs, analyses the Centaur family described in Lithuania’s chronicles, investigates the assumptions for the selection of the Alšėniškis coat of arms, the transformation of the Centaur to the Hippocentaur, and the appearance of the Hippocentaur coat of arms in the heraldry of the Giedraitis in the 16th century. The concepts of the Centaur, Hippocentaur, Kitauras and archer (Sagittarius) are revised.
Genealogy and genealogical self-awareness were very important elements of the frame of a noble society’s fortress in the 19th century. The analysis of some genealogical trees, schemes, etc. and the diary-memoir of a noble woman Gabrielė Giunterytė-Puzinienė showed several genealogical aspects treasured by nobles. Family members who were high-ranking soldiers, patrons, or belonged to the clergy were treated very respectfully. Having a wide net of family ties and high-status relatives were a remarkable tool for showing ones family’s origin and position in the society. Wealth played an important role as well. Various official and legal documents, individual contemplations, memories and memoirs of other persons or armorials created by Szymon Okolski and Bartosh Paprocki served as remarkable sources for keeping the genealogical memory of families alive. Genealogical trees, schemes etc. could be treated as more reliable sources for genealogical self-awareness because of the elimination of the subjective viewpoint, as we can face it in the abovementioned diary. Nevertheless, the Giedraitis Family case negated this statement. G. Giunterytė-Puzinienė’s diary-memoir is an extraordinary source for exploring genealogical identity. Genealogy is a vivid and detailed story in this book. One can smell, hear, and touch it. Collective holidays, events, and various forms of recreation became tools for strengthening the genealogical self-awareness and family memory.
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