Prussian indigenous and strangers. Nobles landowners in the voivodeship Malbork of Royal Prussia in the 16th–18th centuries

Abstract

Malbork voivodeship, existing in time of the Commonwealth of Poland, was the smallest among three provinces of the Royal Prussia. Noble estates in the province were not impressive. There were only about 80 villages, but numerous contracts, agreements, pledges or inheritance were characteristic for this area. Hitherto research indicate that during 300 years of existence within Polish boundaries, in the region lived around 200 families. Those were landowners, or those who had inherited property law. Only a few of them managed to stay here for longer, but all left their mark in historical records. To a lesser or greater extent, they exerted an influence on the history of the province.