LVIV INTERPRETER MIKOŁAJ BAJDUŁOWICZ: BALANCING PIETY AND SELFLESSNESS AMID INTRIGUES, CORRUPTION SCANDALS, AND A SECRET UNION

The biography of Mikołaj Bajdułowicz, the most renowned municipal interpreter (tłumacz) of Lviv, presents a detailed examination of his life and career. This biography identifies the key milestones in Bajdułowicz’s career, including the approximate dates of his birth and death. Traditionally viewed as a pious and selfless city interpreter who diligently performed his duties, Bajdułowicz's idealized image is critically reassessed in this work. Bajdułowicz gained fame for his religious devotion, particularly for his pilgrimage vows to the Holy Lands, signifying his attempts to lead a spiritually fulfilling life. However, records indicate that he either did not complete these pilgrimages or only partially fulfilled them. Instead, Bajdułowicz emerges as a cunning manipulator, deeply involved in various corrupt practices. He frequently violated customs regulations, engaged in corruption, extorted merchants, and even concealed criminal activities. His professional life was marked by a notable rivalry with another prominent Lviv interpreter, Tomasz Abramowich (also known as Abrahamowicz). This conflict between two former friends adds a dramatic interpersonal dimension to Bajdułowicz's biography, highlighting the complex dynamics within the city's administration. One of the most intriguing aspects of Bajdułowicz’s career was his formation of a clandestine society with his associates and assistants. This society functioned similarly to a quasi-guild, complete with a structured distribution of both official and unofficial income. Created under the auspices of the Armenian clergy, this secret union operated without the knowledge or consent of the Lviv city council. Eventually, the city council discovered and dismantled this covert organization. Despite his numerous transgressions and lost court battles, Bajdułowicz maintained his position as an interpreter for several decades. His enduring influence is underscored by his appointment as a royal secretary, the receipt of an annual pension, and possibly even the acquisition of a noble title. Keywords: Mikołaj Bajdułowicz, Tomasz Abramowich (Abrahamowicz), interpreter, pilgrimage, Armenians, secret union, corruption, city council, merchants.