Rīgas rātskungi: amats, saimniecība, politika (1348—1474)

Abstract

Rīgas rāte, kas avotos pirmo reizi minēta 1226.gadā, līdz 13.gadsimta beigām ieguva pilsētas pašpārvaldes tiesības. Izveidojās rātes struktūra un 14.gadsimtā rātes locekļu skaits no 12 pieauga uz 16, bet 15.gadsimtā bija jau 20 rātes locekļu. Blakus pilsētas pārvaldes uzdevumiem 14.gadsimta otrā pusē bija nepieciešams pilsētas pārstāvēšana Hanzas un Livonijas pilsētu u.c. sanāksmēs, ko veica rātes sūtņi. 14.un 15.gadsimtā Rīgas rātē pastāvēja liela tās locekļu mobilitāte. Rātskungu karjeru noteica radniecības, saimnieciskās sadarbības, sociālie u.c. sakari. Lielākā Rīgas rātskungu daļa bija lieltirgotāji, kuru darījumi noritēja līnijā Brige-Novgoroda. Rātes locekļi tika ievēlēti uz mūžu. Rātes vēlēšanas apliecināja rātes varu un prestižu.

The Riga Town Council, which was first mentioned in sources in 1226, acquired municipal self-government rights by the end of the 13th century. A Council structure was developed and in the 14th century, the number of Council members increased from 12 to 16 persons but in the 15th century, there were already 20 members. Alongside the task of governing the town, in the second half of 14th century the Council was also responsible for representing Riga at Hanseatic and Livonian town meetings and on other occasions. These duties were undertaken by Council envoys. Characteristic of the Riga Town Council in the 14th and 15th centuries was the high mobility of its members. The career of a Town Councillor depended on connections – family, commercial, social etc. The majority of the Councillors were merchants whose dealings centred on a line between Bruges and Novgorod. Council Members were elected for life. Town Council elections were an affirmation of its power and prestige.