Aleksander Chodkiewicz
Encyclopedia
Aleksander Chodkiewicz was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
, founder of the Supraśl Orthodox Monastery
. He inherited vast possessions from his father Ivan Chodkiewicz
, which made him 11th wealthiest person in the Grand Duchy according to a military census of 1528. Via his mother Jawnuta (Agnieszka) of the Belsky family, he was second cousin to Kings of Poland John I Albert, Alexander Jagiellon
, and Sigismund I the Old
. Chodkiewicz quickly gained influence under Alexander Jagiellon, becoming royal marshal but after Jagiellon's death in 1506 his career stagnated. He supported Queen Bona Sforza
, gaining her favor and becoming starost of Brest
in 1528. The peak of his career came in 1544 when young Sigismund II Augustus
, still influenced by his mother, appointed Chodkiewicz as voivode of Nowogródek and his son Hieronim
as castellan
of Trakai
.
in October 1482. His father and sister died in captivity, while he, his mother and sister Agrafena were ransomed in 1484 and returned to Lithuania. Chodkiewicz appeared in political arena in 1495 when he won a court case against caretakers of a royal estate. At the time he already was a member of the Royal court. Chodkiewicz was a favorite of Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon
, who granted him his first public position as governor of Punia in 1501. On October 30, 1501, Chodkiewicz was among 27 nobles agreeing to abide by the Union of Mielnik
. The next year he was appointed as royal Master of the Horse
(koniuszy). It was a honorary title, but signified royal favor. In 1506, Chodkiewicz became royal marshal (marszałek hospodarski), a position which guaranteed close contacts with the King and granted a seat in the Lithuanian Council of Lords
. However, after death of Alexander Jagiellon, Chodkiewicz's career stagnated.
Chodkiewicz was accused of participating in the 1508 uprising organized by Michael Glinski
. However, there was not enough proof and he was released from prison in 1511. He returned to the previous position of court marshal and was sent on several diplomatic missions to Poland. Due to the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
the state budget was emptied and the Grand Duke mortgaged his properties to raise funds. This way Chodkiewicz acquired Ostrovo west of Lida
(1520) and Vilkija
(1522). In 1525 he obtained a privilege to establish Zabłudów. Around the same time he began consolidating his holdings near Choroszcz
—the resulting complex was ranked 3rd in size after the holdings of the Radziwiłł and Goštautai
families.
Chodkiewicz supported Queen Bona Sforza
in her efforts to consolidated royal estates. Perhaps due to her favor in 1528 Chodkiewicz became starost of Brest
, a position that was similar to voivodes (Brest Litovsk Voivodeship was established in 1566). In 1530, Chodkiewicz became governor of Knyszyn
, favorite hunting location of Grand Duke Sigismund. For unknown reasons, perhaps due to poor health, he was skipped for several promotions to voivode. In 1530s he was tasked with delineating the border between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland.
In 1544, Sigismund I the Old
transferred much of political power within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to his son Sigismund II Augustus
, who was significantly influenced by his mother Queen Sforca. Sigismund Augustus almost immediately made new appointments: Chodkiewicz became voivode of Nowogródek while his son Hieronim
became castellan
of Trakai
. Both of these positions entitled to a seat in the Council of Lords. The following year Hieronim was further promoted to Elder of Samogitia; thus Hieronim politically surpassed his father. These appointments marked a considerable social jump for the Chodkiewicz family. The Chodkiewiczs sided with Queen Sforza against their political rival Barbara Radziwiłł, involved in the love affair with Sigismund Augustus. By the time Aleksander Chodkiewicz died in 1549, his sons, especially Hieronim, were well established in politics and the family was second in power after the Radziwiłłs.
in lands inherited from his father. The monastery combines features of fortified church
es, Western Gothic
and Eastern Byzantine architecture
s. Polish historian Józef Maroszek argued that this unique blend of the early 16th century was related to attempts to establish a church union
between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Lithuanian historian Genutė Kirkienė further claimed that Chodkiewicz was a follower of Joseph Bolgarynovich, Metropolitan of Kiev in 1498–1501, who supported the church union as agreed in the Council of Florence
—Orthodoxs would retain their rites and churches, but would be subordinates of the Pope in Rome. After Bolgarynovich's death the union was abandoned at the metropolitan level, but Kirkienė found hints that Supraśl continued the idea locally. The monastery soon was granted the status of larva
—it became an autonomous body with great rights reserved for its founder (ktetor) and various restrictions placed on the Metropolitan.
The Supraśl Monastery became cultural and spiritual center as well as mausoleum of the Chodkiewicz family. Alexander's mother was the first person buried in its catacombs
; he is buried there as well.
. His son Hieronim converted to Lutheranism
while daughter Zofia married a Lutheran. Chodkiewicz had five children:
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...
, founder of the Supraśl Orthodox Monastery
Suprasl Orthodox Monastery
The Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl , also known as the Supraśl Lavra is a monastery in North Eastern Poland in the Podlaskie Voivodeship...
. He inherited vast possessions from his father Ivan Chodkiewicz
Ivan Chodkiewicz
Ivan Chodkiewicz was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was a son of Chodko Jurewicz and ancestor of the Chodkiewicz family. Ivan married Jawnuta Belska, first cousin of Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. The marriage into the royal line helped him to...
, which made him 11th wealthiest person in the Grand Duchy according to a military census of 1528. Via his mother Jawnuta (Agnieszka) of the Belsky family, he was second cousin to Kings of Poland John I Albert, 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...
, and 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...
. Chodkiewicz quickly gained influence under Alexander Jagiellon, becoming royal marshal but after Jagiellon's death in 1506 his career stagnated. He supported Queen Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza was a member of the powerful Milanese House of Sforza. In 1518, she became the second wife of Sigismund I the Old, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.She was the third child of Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his wife...
, gaining her favor and becoming starost 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...
in 1528. The peak of his career came in 1544 when young Sigismund II Augustus
Sigismund II Augustus
Sigismund II Augustus I was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the only son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548...
, still influenced by his mother, appointed Chodkiewicz as voivode of Nowogródek and his son Hieronim
Hieronim Chodkiewicz
Hieronim Chodkiewicz was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, who was Elder of Samogitia from 1545 until his death. He was son of Aleksander and brother of Hrehory and Yurii Chodkiewiczs...
as 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...
.
Political career
As a young boy Chodkiewicz was taken hostage with his family by the Tatars of the Crimean KhanateCrimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate, or Khanate of Crimea , was a state ruled by Crimean Tatars from 1441 to 1783. Its native name was . Its khans were the patrilineal descendants of Toqa Temür, the thirteenth son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan...
in October 1482. His father and sister died in captivity, while he, his mother and sister Agrafena were ransomed in 1484 and returned to Lithuania. Chodkiewicz appeared in political arena in 1495 when he won a court case against caretakers of a royal estate. At the time he already was a member of the Royal court. Chodkiewicz was a favorite of Grand Duke 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...
, who granted him his first public position as governor of Punia in 1501. On October 30, 1501, Chodkiewicz was among 27 nobles agreeing to abide by the 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...
. The next year he was appointed as royal Master of the Horse
Master of the Horse
The Master of the Horse was a position of varying importance in several European nations.-Magister Equitum :...
(koniuszy). It was a honorary title, but signified royal favor. In 1506, Chodkiewicz became royal marshal (marszałek hospodarski), a position which guaranteed close contacts with the King and granted a seat in 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....
. However, after death of Alexander Jagiellon, Chodkiewicz's career stagnated.
Chodkiewicz was accused of participating in the 1508 uprising organized by 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...
. However, there was not enough proof and he was released from prison in 1511. He returned to the previous position of court marshal and was sent on several diplomatic missions to Poland. Due to 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...
the state budget was emptied and the Grand Duke mortgaged his properties to raise funds. This way Chodkiewicz acquired Ostrovo west of 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 :...
(1520) and Vilkija
Vilkija
Vilkija is situated in the Kaunas district municipality, Lithuania. It is located north-west of Kaunas. It's right on the north side of the river Nemunas, the most important river in Lithuania....
(1522). In 1525 he obtained a privilege to establish Zabłudów. Around the same time he began consolidating his holdings near Choroszcz
Choroszcz
Choroszcz is a town in north-eastern Poland.It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship , having previously been in Białystok Voivodeship ....
—the resulting complex was ranked 3rd in size after the holdings of the Radziwiłł and Goštautai
Goštautai
Gostautai , masculine Gostautas and feminine form Gostautaite were a Lithuanian noble family, one of the most influential magnate families during the 15th and early 16th centuries...
families.
Chodkiewicz supported Queen Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza was a member of the powerful Milanese House of Sforza. In 1518, she became the second wife of Sigismund I the Old, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.She was the third child of Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his wife...
in her efforts to consolidated royal estates. Perhaps due to her favor in 1528 Chodkiewicz became starost 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...
, a position that was similar to voivodes (Brest Litovsk Voivodeship was established in 1566). In 1530, Chodkiewicz became governor of Knyszyn
Knyszyn
Knyszyn is a town in north-eastern Poland, northwest of Białystok. It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship , and was formerly in the Białystok Voivodeship ....
, favorite hunting location of Grand Duke Sigismund. For unknown reasons, perhaps due to poor health, he was skipped for several promotions to voivode. In 1530s he was tasked with delineating the border between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland.
In 1544, 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...
transferred much of political power within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to his son Sigismund II Augustus
Sigismund II Augustus
Sigismund II Augustus I was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the only son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548...
, who was significantly influenced by his mother Queen Sforca. Sigismund Augustus almost immediately made new appointments: Chodkiewicz became voivode of Nowogródek while his son Hieronim
Hieronim Chodkiewicz
Hieronim Chodkiewicz was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, who was Elder of Samogitia from 1545 until his death. He was son of Aleksander and brother of Hrehory and Yurii Chodkiewiczs...
became 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...
. Both of these positions entitled to a seat in the Council of Lords. The following year Hieronim was further promoted to Elder of Samogitia; thus Hieronim politically surpassed his father. These appointments marked a considerable social jump for the Chodkiewicz family. The Chodkiewiczs sided with Queen Sforza against their political rival Barbara Radziwiłł, involved in the love affair with Sigismund Augustus. By the time Aleksander Chodkiewicz died in 1549, his sons, especially Hieronim, were well established in politics and the family was second in power after the Radziwiłłs.
Supraśl Monastery
Already in 1498, Chodkiewicz founded what became the Supraśl Orthodox MonasterySuprasl Orthodox Monastery
The Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl , also known as the Supraśl Lavra is a monastery in North Eastern Poland in the Podlaskie Voivodeship...
in lands inherited from his father. The monastery combines features of fortified church
Fortified church
Churches have often shown potential to be used for defensive purposes.Europe has a substantial legacy of fortified churches which were used for defensive purposes in time of war...
es, Western Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Eastern Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
s. Polish historian Józef Maroszek argued that this unique blend of the early 16th century was related to attempts to establish a church union
Church union
Church union is the name given to a merger of two or more Christian denominations. Such unions may occur in one of two ways.- United churches :Some churches have formed as a result of a merger of churches of different denominations...
between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Lithuanian historian Genutė Kirkienė further claimed that Chodkiewicz was a follower of Joseph Bolgarynovich, Metropolitan of Kiev in 1498–1501, who supported the church union as agreed in the Council of Florence
Council of Florence
The Council of Florence was an Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It began in 1431 in Basel, Switzerland, and became known as the Council of Ferrara after its transfer to Ferrara was decreed by Pope Eugene IV, to convene in 1438...
—Orthodoxs would retain their rites and churches, but would be subordinates of the Pope in Rome. After Bolgarynovich's death the union was abandoned at the metropolitan level, but Kirkienė found hints that Supraśl continued the idea locally. The monastery soon was granted the status of larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
—it became an autonomous body with great rights reserved for its founder (ktetor) and various restrictions placed on the Metropolitan.
The Supraśl Monastery became cultural and spiritual center as well as mausoleum of the Chodkiewicz family. Alexander's mother was the first person buried in its catacombs
Catacombs
Catacombs, human-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place can be described as a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman empire...
; he is buried there as well.
Titles and positions
Aleksander Chodkiewicz had the following titles and positions:- Governor of Punia (1501–1511)
- Royal marshal (1506–1549)
- Starost of Ostrovo (1520–1547), VilkijaVilkijaVilkija is situated in the Kaunas district municipality, Lithuania. It is located north-west of Kaunas. It's right on the north side of the river Nemunas, the most important river in Lithuania....
(1522–1549), BrestBrest, BelarusBrest , 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...
(1528–1547), KnyszynKnyszynKnyszyn is a town in north-eastern Poland, northwest of Białystok. It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship , and was formerly in the Białystok Voivodeship ....
(1530–1547) - Voivode of Nowogródek (1544–1547)
Family
In 1513, Chodkiewicz married Princess Wasylisa Jarosławiczówna Hołowczyńska. They had three male descendants, who started three branches of the Chodkewicz clan. The children spend time at the court of Albert, Duke of Prussia and were exposed to ProtestantismProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
. His son Hieronim converted to Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
while daughter Zofia married a Lutheran. Chodkiewicz had five children:
- Hieronim ChodkiewiczHieronim ChodkiewiczHieronim Chodkiewicz was a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, who was Elder of Samogitia from 1545 until his death. He was son of Aleksander and brother of Hrehory and Yurii Chodkiewiczs...
(ca. 1515–1561) founder of the ShkloŭShklouŠkłoŭ is a town in Mahilyow Voblast, Belarus, located 35 km north of Mogilev on the Dnieper river. It has a railway station on the line between Orsha and Mogilev. The population is 13,282...
(or Bykhaw) line - Grzegorz ChodkiewiczGrzegorz ChodkiewiczHrehory Chodkiewicz was a nobleman and military officer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was a son of Aleksander, brother of Hieronim and Yurii, and uncle of Jan Hieronimowicz Chodkiewicz...
(ca. 1517–1572) founder of the SupraślSupraslSupraśl is a town in north-eastern Poland. It is the home of the Supraśl Lavra, one of only six Eastern Orthodox monasteries for males in Poland. Situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship , previously in Białystok Voivodeship . It is located in Białystok County, about 15 km northeast of...
line - Jerzy Chodkiewicz (after 1520–1569) founder of the Vyalikaya ByerastavitsaVyalikaya ByerastavitsaVyalikaya Berestovitsa is an urban settlement in Belarus, Hrodna voblast, Berestovitsa Raion. It's the capital city of the Berestovitsa Raion. It's located near the city of Grodno....
line - Alexandra, married Grigory Burnevski
- Zofia, married Stanislovas Mikolaitis Kęsgaila