The political activity of Adam Kazanowski (1599-1649)

Adam Kazanowski and his entire political career was closely associated with king Władysław IV (Ladislaus IV Vasa). As the monarch’s favorite, and since 1637 also one of the senators, Kazanowski became involved in issues relating to the state’s policy. Due to his close relations with the king and consequently his royalist views, he often identifi ed with the opinions represented by the monarch and sided with his will. Yet on some occasions, Kazanowski’s attitude was far removed from the views represented by the monarch. Being close to the monarch’s inner circle, he participated in the majority of Parliament sessions (Diet sessions) during the reign of Władysław IV. Shortly after the monarch’s death, he was also involved in political issues associated with Chmielnicki’s Uprising. Yet due to the unfavorable attitude of king Jan Kazimierz (John II Casimir Vasa) and the continually worsening state of his health, his political activity became considerably less intense. The one-time king’s favorite ended his life not long afterwards, on 25 December 1649