History

The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, or Republic of Both Nations, formally the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, after 1791 the Commonwealth of Poland, was a dualistic state, a bi-confederation, of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch, who was both the king of Poland and the grand duke of Lithuania. It was one of the largest and most populous countries of 16th- and 17th-century Europe. At its peak in the early 17th century, the Commonwealth spanned some 1,200,000 km2 and sustained a multi-ethnic population of 11 million. The union was formalized by the Union of Lublin in July 1569, but the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were in a de-facto personal union since 1386 with the marriage of the Polish female king (as she was crowned as actual ruler) Jadwiga of Poland and Lithuania's Grand Duke Jogaila, who was crowned King jure uxoris Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland. The First Partition of Poland in 1772 and the Second Partition of Poland in 1793 greatly reduced the nation's size and the Commonwealth disappeared as an independent state following the Third Partition of Poland in 1795

Heraldry

Rulers of Lithuania and Poland

Jogaila/ Wladislaw

*1351ca-†1434

Grand duke of Lithuania 1377-1392

King of Poland 1386-1434

¥ 1386 Jadwiga/Hedwig, Queen of Poland 1386

Seal of Majesty, 1388

Figure:

Arms: Lithuania, Sandomir, Dobrzyn, Ruthenia, Kujawa, Kalisz and Poland.

Legend: S WLADISLAVS DEI GRA REX POLONIE NNO TRARU CRACOVIE SADOMIE SYRADIE LACIE CUIAVIE LITWANIE PNCEPS SUPMS POMORANIE RUSSIEQ DNS F HRS FC. (Gum. 2).

Lesser Seal 1388

1388 Arms: ¼ 1. Poland; 2. Lithuania/Jogaila; 3. 4. Kujava. L.: Wladislaus dei gra rex polonie lithwanie dux supremus hers russ. (Gum. 34. Coll. Pawlikowski, Medyka; 139)

Lithuanian Monarchy

Vytautas

Son of Kęstutis

*1350-†1430

Vice-regent 1392-1401

Duke 1401-1430

After Jogaila, Vytautas, a son of his uncle Kęstutis, who had received Troki  in 1345 succeeded

Vytautas, revolted against Jogaila in 1390, and two years later Jogaila recognized him as vice-regent in Lithuania. Vytautas made the grand duchy into a prestigious state, and in 1401 Jogaila created him a duke. Together, the reconciled cousins decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights in 1410 at Tannenberg and Novgorod.

Seal of majesty 1412

Figure:  The Grand duke seated

Arms: 1. A cross (Wolhynia); 2. Rider with sword (Lithuania); 3. Knight with spear and pavese (Troki); 4. A bear passant (Samogitia).

Legend: SIGILLUM ALLEXANDRI ALIAS WITWDI MAGNI DUCIS LITHWANIE   [.....]RUSSIE ETC.

The realm of Vytautas was symbolized on his seal by a quarterly of its main parts being Wolhynia, Lithuania Troki and Russia

Heraldic seal, 1404

Arms: ¼: 1. Cross; 2. Rider to the sinister; 3. Warrior with pavese; 4. A bear passant to the sinister.

Legend: S. ALLEXANDRI ALIAS WITOLDI DIGRA DUCIS LITHWANIE HERDIS TROCENS DNIQ RVCE

The arms of Vytautas, 1417 ca

In: Ulrich Richental: Das Konzil zu Konstanz fol. 135b.

Arms: ¼ of Lithuania and Troki

Legend: Der durchluchtig fürst hertzog Alexander genempt Witolt grossfürst und her ze littow (The illustrious prince duke Alexander called Witold grand prince and lord of Lithuania)

The arms of Vytautas, 1417 ca

In: Other copy of Ulrich Richental: Das Konzil zu Konstanz.

Arms: ¼ 1&4 Gules, a rider Argent, 2&3 Or, a knight with sword and shield Sable.

On the shield a ducal hat

Legend: Von de durchleuchtigten fürste herczog allexand genant wittolt groß fürst un herr zu litow zwei biſchof. (Two bishops from the illustrious prince duke Alexander called Witold, grand prince and lord of Lithuania)

Arms of Vytautas

By Konrad Grüneberg, 1483 ca

The arms on the right:

Arms: ¼ of Lithuania and Troki

Crest: On two helmets respecting the rider of Lithuania and the warriorwith shield of Troki.

Legend: Herzog von Littaro

In the right upper corner: Or, a ducal hat Gules, the brim Azure, with the legend Alt Littaro (Old Lithuania).

A pointed ducal hat of this shape can be seen on the seal of Kęstutis but also the cap of Mindaugas may have been meant.

Sigismund

Brother of Vytautas

1432-1440

Sigismund was a brother of  Vytautas and belonged to the House of Lithuania-Troki

On his coins are armed riders on the reverse his personal emblem

Seal of Majesty, 1436

Sigismund seated with crown and sword.

Arms: (Clockwise) Lithuania, Russia, Troki, Wolhynia

Legend: X S. MAYESTATIS MILITI PRINCIPIS DNI SIGISMUNDI DEI GRACIA MAGNI DUCIS LITWANIE RUSSIE ┼C

Rulers of Lithuania and Poland

Ladislaus III of Varna

1434-1444

Seal of king Ladislaus III of Varna

size: Æ 33 mm

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Legend:  + WLADISLAVS + DEI + GRACIA + REX + POLONIE + ETCETERA

Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 23, s. 17

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 4722

Seal of Ladislaus III of Varna

size: Æ33 mm

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Legend: * WLADISLAUS • DEI • GRACIA • REX • POLONIE • ETCETERA

Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 24, s. 17.

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 4852

Kasimir

*1427-†1492

1440-1492

King of Poland 1446-1492

The arms of Kasimir

In Conrad Grünebergs Wappenbuch 1483

Arms: Alliance: Poland and Lithuania.

Crest: On a golden helmet affrontée, royally crowned, an eagle issuant Argent, crowned Or (Poland).

The legend reads: das alte Bolland; der könig von Poland; Wittold Sthnordergail; das land vo Rusen; dye haubstat zu Bolland ist gehaissen Craca

Heraldic seal.

size: Æ 38 mm

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania.

Legend: S KAZIMIRUS DEI GRACIA REX POLONIE MAGNUS DUX LITHWANIE ETCT.

Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 28, s. 19. AGAD, Collection of parchment records 440

John Albert

1492-1501

The arms  of Poland

In the Livro do Armeiro Mor, 1509

Seal of king John Albert (1492-1501)

size: Æ 39 mm

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Legend: + IOANNES : ALBERTUS : DEI GRA : REX : POLONIE : SUPREMUS : DUX : LITHWANIE : ZC

Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 35, s. 21.

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 6733

Alexander

1492-1506

King of Poland 1501-1506

From 1501, with the accession of Kasimir's son, Alexander I, Lithuania and Poland had one ruler, and in 1569 they agreed to have a common legislature and an elective king.

Seal of king Alexander Jagiellon (1501-1506)

size: Æ 73 mm. Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 38, s. 22.

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 968

Arms: ¼: 1&4: Poland; 2. Lithuania: 3. Russia. In nombril point: Austria

Crown: A royal crown

Around the main shield: Clockwise: Pomerania, Sandomir,Vilnius, Dobrzyn, Kalisz, Moldavia

Legend: + ALEXANDER + DEI + GRA + REX + POLONIE + MAGNUS + DUX + LITHVANIE + RUSSIE + PRUSSIE + Q + DNUS + ET + HERES

Personal Union of Poland and Lithuania

1506-1569

Sigismund I, the Elder

1506-1548

Arms of Sigismund I

From the Redinghovensche Wappenbuch

Arms: Quarterly, enté en point:  1. King Sigismund I of Poland; 2. Lithuania; 3. Russia; 4. Prussia; 5 Prussia Royal Part/West Prussia.

This is an early example of the addition of the personal emblem, in this case the royal cypher “S”, to the arms, all other arms being the arms of a  realm.

Prussia Royal Part belonged to Poland since 1454/1466.

Sigismund II Augustus

*1520-†1572

1548-1572

Arms of Sigismund II Augustus

Arms: ¼ of Poland, the eagle charged with the cypher “SA”  and Lithuania

Crown: A royal Crown

Sigismund II Augustus tapestry

Wawel Castle

Arms: ¼ of Poland, the eagle charged with the cypher “SA”, Lithuania, Kiev and Wolhynia, enté en point of Russia. In nombril point: Visconti

Crown: A Grand ducal hat

The arms of Visconti are of the mother of Sigismund Augustus, Bona Sforza (1494-1557).

Polish-Lituanian Commonwealth

1569-1795

Henry of Valois

1573-1575

Seal of king Henry d’Valois (1573-1574)

size: Æ 46 mm. AGAD, Collection of parchment records 6193

Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 59, s. 31.

Arms: ¼ Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point France

Crown: A royal crown

Legend: HENRICVS : DEI : GRA : REX : POLONIAE : MAGNVS : DVX : LITHVA : RVSSIE : ETC

From the reign of Henry of Valois the royal arms of the Polish-Lithuanian monarchy was a quarterly of Poland and Lithuania with the dynastic arms in nombril point.

Æ See: Kings of Poland, Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Stefan Bathory

1575-1586

Sigismund III Wasa

*1566-†1532

1587-1632

Arms on trumpet banner

Riksmuseet Stockholm

Wawel castle, Krakow.

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Sweden: ¼ of Sweden and Folkunge with Vasa in nombril point

Crown: A royal crown

Order: Of the Fleece

Wladyslaw IV Wasa

1632-1648

Arms of Wladyslaw IV

In Marienburg Castle, Malbork

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Sweden: ¼ of Sweden and Folkunge with Vasa in nombril point

Crown: A royal crown

Johan II Casimir Wasa

1648-1668

1667 Loss of Smolensk, Sewersk and Kiev.

Michael Wisniowiecki

1669-1673

Ducat of Michael Wisniowiecki 1671

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Wisniowiecki

Crown: A royal crown.

Johan III Sobieski

1674-1696

2 ducats of John Sobieski

Legend: Obv.: IOAN III D : G : REX POL Ÿ M : D :  LIT Ÿ R : PR Ÿ  Rev.: SOLI DEO LAUS HONOR & GLORIA

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Sobieski

Crown: A royal crown

August II, the Strong of Saxony

1697-1704

August II, the Strong of Saxony, Coronation medal

Silver, Æ 44 mm. Legend: Obv.: AUGUSTUS II – D G REX POLON & M D LRw. Rev.: SAC ROM IMP ARCHIM ET ELECT SAXON ELECT D 27 IUN CORONAT D 15 SEPT ANNO 1697

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point Pp. of the Arch-marshalate and Saxony, crowned with and electoral cap

Crown: A royal crown

Stanislas Leszczynski

1704-1709

Seal of the chancellery of Stanislas Leszczynski

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Leszcynski

Order: Of St. Michael; Of the Holy Spirit

Mantle: Royally crowned

August II, the Strong of Saxony

1709-1733

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point Pp. of the Arch-marshalate and Saxony, crowned with and electoral cap

Crown: A royal crown

Stanislas Leszczynski

1733-1736

Arms: As before

August III of Saxony

1733-1763

Ducat of August III of Saxony, 1750

Gold, Æ 22 mm. Legend: Obv.: D G FRID AUGUST REX POL DUX SAX I C M A & WRw . Rev.: SAC ROM IMP ARCHIM ET ELECT 1750

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril Point: Pp. of the Arch-marshalate and Saxony

Stanislas II Augustus

1764-1795

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Poniatowski

Crown: A royal crown

Arms of Stanislas August Poniatowski

From: Dyaryusz seymu ordynaryinego pod zwiazkiem konfederacyi generalney oboyga narodow. Warszawie 1788

The Achievement

Jogaila/ Wladislaw

*1351ca-†1434

Grand duke of Lithuania 1377-1392

King of Poland 1386-1434

¥ 1386 Jadwiga/Hedwig, Queen of Poland 1386

1387 Heraldic seal of Queen Hedwig

Arms.: Poland (eagle), Bosnia/Kotromanic (angel supporting crown), Lithuania (rider to the dexter).

Supporter: An angel

Legend: S HEDWIGIS D G REGINA POLONIE PRINCEPS LITHUANIE BOSNIA

Chancellary seal of Wladislaw 1386-1410

AGAD, Warszawa

Arms: ¼: 1. Poland; 2. Lithuania/Jogaila; 3.Old Poland; 4. Kujava.

Supporter: An Angel

Legend: WLADISLAUS DEI GRA REX POLONIE LITHWANIE DUX SUPREMUS HERS RUSS.

Gumowski. 34. Coll. Pawlikowski, Medyka; 139

Kasimir

*1427-†1492

1440-1492

King of Poland 1446-1492

Seal of king Casimir IV the Jagiellonian 1488

size: Æ 48 mm

Achievement

Arms: ¼ 1. Poland; 2. Lithuania; 3. Old Poland; 4. Kujava. On the upper rim of the shield: Jogaila

Supporters: Two men (angels?)

Legend: S KAZIMIRUS DEI GRACIA REX POLONIE MAGNUS DUX LITHVANIE ET HERES RUSSIAE ETCETRA

(Gum. 4. Krakau.) edition: Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 27, s. 19.  AGAD, Collection of parchment records 4645

John Albert

1492-1501

Arms of John Albert

Arms: Querterly: 1. Lithuania; 2. Ruthenia; 3. Kalisz; 4. Kuiava. And in nombril point: Poland. Attached in base: Jagiello.

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Two lions sejant guardant proper

Seal of John Albert, 1492-1494

Archiwum Panstwowe w Krakowie

Alexander

1492-1506

King of Poland 1501-1506

Seal of Alexander

Achievement

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuanie

Crown: Royal Crown

Supporters: Two lions

Legend: S.S.P. DNI ALEXANDRI DeI GRA REGIS POLONIE MAGNI DUCIS LITHVAE 3C

Sigismund I, the Elder

1506-1548

Seal of Sigismund I the Elder

size: Æ 46 mm

Achievement

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Two angels.

Legend: S + S + P DNI + SIGISMVNDI + D + G + REGIS + POLOIE + MAGNI DUC9 + LITVANIE + ZC

edition: Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 46, s. 25.

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 1033

Sigismund II Augustus

1548-1572

Achievement of Poland-Lithuania

in an Austrian Armorial, 1571

Achievement

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Crown: a crown of seven leaves.

Supporters: Dexter: A man with a club; Sinister: A man with a lion.

Polish-Lituanian Commonwealth

1569-1795

Henry of Valois

1573-1575

Achievement of Henry of Valois

At the Tour de l’Horloge, Paris

Achievement

Arms: Alliance: Dexter: France, royally crowned; Sinister: Pp. of Poland and Lithuania, royally crowned.

Crown: A royal crown

Orders: Of St. Michael and of the Holy Ghost

Supporters: Two angels

Stefan Bathory

1575-1586

Achievement of Stefan Bathory

On his tomb in Wawel Cathedral, Krakow

Achievement:

Arms: ¼: 1. Poland; 2. Lithuania; 3. Kiev; 4. Wolhynia. In nombril point: Bathory.

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters:  Two soldiers in antique Roman armoury, the dexter with a sceptre and the sinister with a sword.

The tomb was restored by Agnieszka and Tomasz Trzos, under the supevision of Dr. Elizabeth Nosek

Wladyslaw IV Wasa

1632-1648

Achievement

Arms: ¼ Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point ¼ Swedenand Folkunge and Vasa in nombril point

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Dexter: Belluno; Sinister: Pax

Johan II Casimir Wasa

1648-1668

Seal of Johan II Casimir

size: Æ 62 mm

Achievement

Arms: ¼ Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point ¼ Swedenand Folkunge and Vasa in nombril point

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Dexter: Belluno; Sinister: Pax

Legend: IOANNES . CASIMIRUS . DG . REX . POL . M . D . LIT . RVS . PRV . MAS . SAM . LIV . SMO . SEVE . CZER . RT . N . NON . SVE . GO . VAN . HER . REX.

edition: Gumowski M., Pieczęcie królów polskich, Kraków 1919, Nr 108, s. 54.

AGAD, Collection of parchment records 6240

Johan III Sobieski

1674-1696

Achievement of Johan III Sobieski  in the Musei dei Vaticani

Achievement

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point Sobieski

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Two angels

August II, the Strong of Saxony

1697-1704 / 1709-1733

Achievement of Agust II the Strong in the Zwinger in Dresden

Achievement

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point per pale of Arch marshalate and Saxony crowned with an electoral cap.

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Two virgins with trumpets

Stanislas Leszczynski

1704-1709 / 1733-1736

Tapestry with the achievement of Stanislas Leszczynski

Royal Palace, Warszawa

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point: Leszcynski

Order: Of St. Michael; Of the Holy Spirit

Crown: A Royal crown

Supporters: Two eagles rising Argent, the dexter with the arms of Lorraine, the sinister with the arms of Bar.

August III of Saxony

1733-1763

Achievement of August of Saxony

From: Pacta conventa Augusti III Regis Poloniarum

Leipzig, Jacobus Schuster, 1736

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point per pale of Arch marshalate and Saxony crowned with an electoral cap.

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Dexter: Justitia and sinister: Generosity.

Stanislas II Augustus

1764-1795

Achievement of Stanislas II Augustus in Poznan

Achievement:

Arms: ¼ of Poland and Lithuania. In nombril point Poniatowski

Crown: A royal crown

Supporters: Two virgins with trumpets

The Commonwealth dissolved 24 October 1795

After the dissolution of the Commonwealth several attempts were made to restore it. These attempts were illustrated by the arms used: first a quarterly of Poland and Lithuania, then an impaled of Poland and Lithuania and in 1863 a tierced per pile embowed of Poland, Lithuania and Ruthenia.

General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland

Konfederacja Generalna Królestwa Polskiego

28.06.1812-30.04.1813

The General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland was established by emperor Napoleon Bonaparte on the eve of his campaign in Russia.

It was formally founded by the Sejm of the Duchy of Warsaw on 28 June 1812. It re-established a form of government very similar to the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Marshal of the Council of  the General Confederation was Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski.

Arms of Czartoryski

Main goal of its activity was to introduce Polish administration on territories of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine liberated by La Grande Armée from Russian occupation. The confederation ceased to exist 30 April 1813.

Seal of the  Confederation.

Arms:  ¼ of Poland and Lithuania

Crown: A royal crown.

Order: Of the White Eagle

Garland:  Branches of oak and laurel.

Legend: PIECZEC KONFEDERACYI IENERALNEY KROLESTWA POLSKIE­GO.

November Uprising

1830-1831

The November Uprising (1830–31), or Polish–Russian War 1830–31 also known as the Cadet Revolution, was an armed rebellion in the heartland of partitioned Poland against the Russian Empire. The uprising began on 29 November 1830 in Warsaw when the young Polish officers from the local Army of the Congress Poland's military academy revolted, led by lieutenant Piotr Wysocki. They were soon joined by large segments of societies of Lithuania, Belarus, and the right-bank of Ukraine. Despite some local successes, the uprising was eventually crushed by a numerically superior Imperial Russian Army under Ivan Paskevich. Czar Nicholas I decreed that henceforth Poland was an integral part of Russia, with Warsaw little more than a military garrison, its university closed.

Arms of the Kingdom of Poland

On a 5 złoty coin, 1831

Arms: Pp. of Poland and Lithuania

Crown: A royal crown

The arms were approved on 19 February 1831 by the sejm of the Kingdom of Poland that dethroned the Russian Tsar as King of Poland..

The conservative politician Stanisław Barzykowski, a participant in the debates of that sejm, wrote about the arms: “by placing the Pogoń on all our national coats of arms, we shall at once make it clear to all governments and peoples that we have raised the battle flag in order to recover the whole of Poland within its former borders”.  [1]

Stamp and print of the Seal of the

Commander in chief the the November uprising, 1831

Polish Army Museum, Warsaw

January Uprising

1863-1864

The January Uprising started on 22 January 1863 in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and was directed against the Russian Empire. It lasted until the last of the insurgents were captured with the arrestation of Romualdo Traugutt on 10 April 1864.

The Russian  defeat in the Crimean War (1853-1856) sparked the Polish and Lithuanian patriot’s hopes that perhaps joint efforts would restore the country's statehood. A secret organization was set up which had its supporters in Lithuania, Poland and Belarus. These however, disintegrated into a "white" and a "red" movement and represented not only different social classes, but also pursued differen political goals. The Reds were led by the democratic-minded representatives Sigismund Sierakauskas, Konstanty Kalinowski and Anton Mackevičius. The majority of them were peasants who were in favor of armed struggle and to realize equal rights for all.

The Whites consisted of a union of the nobility and the szlachta, and were led by James Geištoras, Romualdo Traugutt and Alexander Oskerka. They preferred to avoid armed struggle. However, both Reds and Whites had a common goal - to restore the eighteenth century Polish-Lithianian Commonwealth.. This idea is reflected in the arms of May 1863 combining the heraldic Polish, Lithuanian and Ruthenian symbols

In the initial period of the January uprising the arms of the former November uprising of 1830 were imitated. These were also used after the January uprising of 1863 until in May of that year new arms were adopted. These arms were used until the spring of 1864 but had a tough unofficial life in the last years of Russian domination.

A Central National Committee (KCN) – a secret organisation of the Reds - operated from June 1862 in Warsaw. It emerged from the Warsaw Municipal Committee with the intention of taking control of the entire conspiratorial movement in the Polish Kingdom. It led the preparations for the January Uprising: by expanding its underground organization, levying a national tax and calling a national police. On 12 August 1862 it issued a proclamation promising the peasants enfranchisement for redemption, as well as promising Jews a free society and the same  rights as Poles. In a proclamation of 1 September 1862. the Committee the proclaimed the independence of the nation and demanded obedience from society as a whole.

The arms of the committee was parted per pale of Poland and Lithuania and crowned with a royal crown. These arms were the same as the arms of the kingdom of 1831

National Revolutionary Committee

Seal of the National Revolutionary Comittee, 1863 (reversed)

Coll Ausros Museum, Sukuleliu

This committee existed from August to December 1862

The 6 issue of “Ruch” (Movement) of 12 October 1862 contains the imprint of the seal of the Central National Committee. Engraved on it was the Polish-Lithuanian coat of arms.

From that moment on other introduced during this period of national offices seals It showed just such an emblem.

On 19 January 1863 the Central National Committee was transformed into the Provisional National Government (19.01-13.03.1863 & 21.03-23.05.1863) which proclaimed an uprising on 22 January, at the same time issuing a decree emancipating the peasants and promising land to the landless who would take part in the uprising.

In February 1863 Ludwik Mieroslawski (1814-’78) arrived in Poland to become Commander-in-Chief (Dyktator) of the January uprising. After two lost battles in Krzywosądz and Kujawa (19 & 21 February) and a conflict with his rival commander Marian Langiewicz, he decided to return to Paris. He withdrew from politics after the Franco-Prussian War (1870).

In his term of office a seal was used with the inscription: DYKTATOR KOMMIS WYKONAWCZA  (Supreme Commander, Executive Commission). In the center was an impaled of Poland and Lithuania.

A print of it is rare because it authenticated but a small number of documents. It was drawn up specifically for the Executive Committee, which was transformed into the Central Committee after the the appointment of Marian Langiewicza as Commander-in-Chief (Dyktator)

Marian Langiewicz (1827-‘87) was appointed Commander-in-Chief (Dyktator) of the  uprising, with the rank of General on 11 March 1863. A week later, after the battles of Chrobrzem and Grochowiska he collapsed and left the fighting area and passed on March 19 to Galicia.

The Provisional National Government was restored on 21 March 21.03-23.05.1863

After April 1863 the Central National Committee returned to the old seal which was used until 10 May  1863 when it was officially called National Government.

Three-field coat of arms of the Republic of 10 May 1863

Seal of the National Governement of 10.05.1863

The National Government of the January Uprising combined the arms of Poland and Lithuania with the arms of Rus - St. Michael the Archangel - for the first time in history. Such combined arms were adopted on 10 May 1863 and came on the governement documents and seals surrounded by the name of the office or service.

The arms are:

Arms: Tierced per point arched: 1. Gules, an eagle Argent, in his dexter a sword and in his sinister a latin cross (Poland); 2. Gules/Azure, a rider Argent swinging a sword with his dexter and bearing a shield charged with a double cross (Lithuania); 3. Gules/Argent, the archangel Michael supporting a sword with his dexter and a shield charged wit a cross with his sinister (Rus).

Crown: The crown of the Jagiellones

Motto: RÓWNOŚĆ  WOLNOŚĆ  NIEPODLEGŁOŚĆ (Equality Freedom Independence)

The tree-sided shield crowned with the crown of the Jagiellones is a symbol of the unitity of the republic. Each of the figures has a cross and a sword which symbolize the common struggle of Poles, Lithuanians and Ruthenians for their faith and independence.

Stamp of the National Government with a triple coat of arms surmounted by a crown and surrounded by  the words: NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. EQUALITY FREEDOM INDEPENDENCE is on nr. 16 of  “Ruch” magazine from 1863. After 27 June 1863 a secret press, leaflets and all prints were stamped with the seal of the National Government Printing Works. This seal appears on “Ruch” number 17 of 1863.

There are two versions of the arms which probably may be ascribed to the two factions of the uprising: the Whites and the Reds.

Arms of the National Government

the fields red, blue and white

Arms of the National Government

On a medal 1869. All fields red

Arms of an unknown Uprising Commander

Coll. Ausra Museum. Siauliai

The tri-coloured arms with unknown cypher. Helmet with three ostrich-feathers for crest.

Three-nations arms, all fields red

The motto reads here: May God Deliver Poland

Central Lithuania

1920-1922

Litwa Srodkowa or the Republic of Central- or Middle Lithuania was created in 1920 following the staged rebellion of soldiers of the 1st Lithuanian–Belarusian Infantry Division of the Polish Army under Lucjan Żeligowski, supported by the Polish air force, cavalry and artillery. Centered on the historical capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilnius, the Republic served for eighteen months as a buffer state between Poland, upon which it depended, and Lithuania, which claimed the area. After a variety of delays, a disputed election took place on January 8, 1922, and the territory was annexed to Poland.

The republic was regarded by some as a Poland-dependent puppet state. Initially the Polish government denied that it was responsible for the false flag action that created the entity, but the Polish leader, Józef Piłsudski, subsequently acknowledged that he personally ordered Żeligowski to pretend that he was acting as a mutinous Polish officer.

The Polish-Lithuanian borders in the interbellum, while recognized by the Conference of Ambassadors of the Entente and the League of Nations, were not recognized by the Republic of Lithuania. In 1931 an international court in The Hague issued the statement that the Polish seizure of the city had been a violation of international law.

The arms of Litwa Srodkowa were the last arms in which the Polish Eagle and the Lithuanian rider, in the form of the Belarusian Pogoń, were combined.  Initially these two figures were on the badge of the 1st Lithuanian-Belarusian Infantry Division which showed them superimposed, the eagle charged with the Pogoń.

Badge of the 1. Dywizja Litewsko-Białoruska

Cross with eagle and the Vytis of Lithuania. The motto reads: ZA NASZA WOLNOSC I WASZA (For Our and Your Freedom)

3 Marek Stamp, 1921

Emblem of the Polish Army charged with the Vytis of Vilnius (the shield with a cross of three bars).

The arms of the Republic were an impaled of Poland and Lithuania (the Vytis with a shield of two bars) or a quarterly of Poland and the Vytis of Vilnius with the arms of the city of Vilnius (restored 1920) in nombril point. These arms are best known from stamps issued 19210-’21.

Stamp of Litwa Srodkowa, 1920

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