The Society of the Polish-Ruthenian Borderland in Times of Change (in the Example of the 15th-Century Nobility of the Hrubieszów County in Chełm Land)

Abstract

This article aims to look at the changes that took place in Red Ruthenia in the context of social assimilation and acculturation and the interdependencies between them. These two types of integration considered by anthropological and sociological models of assimilation to be particularly relevant from the point of view of social change are the starting point for an analysis of the changes that took place in Red Ruthenia as a result of the clash of different ethnic groups formed within different legal systems, religions and cultural patterns. The changes were exemplified by the example of the upper social strata (boyars and nobility) living in the territory of the Hrubieszów district in the Chelm region. It will be important to examine to what extent the representatives of Orthodox Rusyns underwent integration processes under the influence of currents coming from outside in the form of Polish law, administration and cultural patterns. Structural assimilation will in this case be understood as the entry of boyars into new structures of state and social organizations. Acculturation, on the other hand, occured in the adoption of cultural elements such as language, religion and customs or traditions. Thus, the relationship between structural assimilation and acculturation will be shown. The article will apply a view of the transformations taking place from the point of view of the society living in these areas, sing the example of a group of boyars/nobles. Based on an analysis of the sources, an attempt will be made to determine to what extent the changes that took place were the initiative of the local population (Ruthenians), and to what extent they were imposed by external factors in the form of state power or external population (immigration). It will also be important to consider the tendency of the population to stick to the old established system.