Zaiats A. Volhynia urban society of the 16th and the first half of 17th centuries.

The reseach studies the process of establishment and functioning of Volhynia urban society in the Early Modern era. The study analyzes the issue of definition, classification and terminology of urban settlements; functions of urban settlements and their development factors are examined. The role of private cities owners and royal cities Starostas was figured out in terms of system formation and peculiarities of Volhynia cities development. Special attention is dedicated to city administration and Vogt, Leitvogt, council and hired servicemen involvement in it. Judicature and its peculiarities in royal and private cities are depicted. The study provides insights into the sources of urban community formulation, its legal position, social structure, ethnic and professional structure, as well as Szlachta’s role in the urban society.