Leu Sapeha
(Lev Sopega)
1557-1633
Leu
Sapeha distinguished himself at 23 by talking to Batory in Latin since Batory was not
fluent neither in Polish nor in Old Belarusian. A young man Sapega received a position of
secretary of the GDL. At this time the Muscovy tsar Ivan the Terrible has started a war
against the GDL. Young Sapega has formed at his own cost a hussar regiment and
distinguished himself in the battles at Velikie Luki and during the Pskov siege. In 1548
Leu Sapega is sent as an ambassador to Moscow. Earlier his uncles Mikalaj Sapega (Vayavoda
of Vitsebsk) and Andrej (vayavoda of Mensk). Leu Sapega haven't reached tsar Ivan the
Terrible. The latter has died. Sapega has signed a 10 year peace treaty. By this treaty
Muscovy kept Smalensk, but left Polacak, Vyalizh and Infland. 16 years later Sapega is
sent again to Moscow by king Zhygimont. This times he signs a 20 year peace treaty with
Boris Godunov.
Leu Sapega is one of the greatest Belarusian political figures, a renown by his wisdom
statesman, lawyer and military commander. He stood at the head of the Grand
Duchy of
Lithuania at the times of G.D.L.'s highest cultural blossoming. He was a main editor and
publisher of the last version of the Statut of
the GDL - the ancient constitution of Belarusians that still challenges the current
state of democracy in Belarus. At all times Leu Sapega was a powerful guardian of
Belarusian national interests and a stronghold of our independence.
In 1633 a new king of Rzhech Pospolita Ladyslau IV came to Vil'na Leu Sapega as a
Marshal of the Great Duchy of Lithuania was meeting him in front of the senators of GDL
with a marshal's mace on a horse. He was 80 years old. He died two weeks later.
Links related to Leu Sapeha:
Leu Sapeha - our own expanded page
about Leu Sapeha as a great statesman of Renaissance Belarus (The Grand Duchy of
Lithuania)
Istorija.lt -
Lithuanian historical site
Statutes of The Grand
Duchy
of Lithuania
Other Relevant Pages of the Virtual Guide to Belarus
Belarusian Castles and
Knighthood
Historic Belarusian Battles
Belarusian
Statehood
History
of Belarus
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