Motivation for issuing jarlyks

Nicholas Zharkikh

Shortened text of the section. Full text in ukrainian version.

The reason for the granting of territories was first outlined in the jarlyk of 1461, and further we have only variations on its theme, not always happy ones.

But this reason is formulated formally and does not explain the motives of Haji-Girey’s actions. Well, some contender for power in the Horde fled to the GDL after being defeated, well, he was accepted in the GDL – but what was Haji-Girey connection with this adventure? It wasn’t him who ran away and he wasn’t given asylum, so he wasn’t obliged to feel gratitude.

I think that the whole story with the sweaty horses was made up to at least somehow motivate the issuance of the jarlyk. In fact, the initiator was King Casimir, and Haji-Girey only agreed to his proposal.