“In these times of great need”: Pledging the grand duke’s demesne in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from 1502 to 1522

The article analyses the grand-ducal demesne pledges in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from 1502 to 1522 and the influence of this type of borrowing on the Lithuanian treasury. In the early sixteenth century, grand-ducal pledges were an essential source for financing the war effort in Lithuania. The pledge deeds reveal that at least 58,576.5 sexagenas of Lithuanian groschen were borrowed under grand-ducal demesne pledge deeds in the analysed period. The pledging intensified shortly before and during the Sejms of 1516 and 1518. Almost the entire debt was owned by the members of the Council of Lords and the highest Lithuanian dignitaries, with the leading magnate families at the forefront. Most of this debt was relieved by the Council of Lords.