The so-called Pole time in Latgale’s development was very important, because in these exact 200 years Latgale got its characteristic features that have been preserved till nowadays. In 1561 after the conclusion of the Treaty of Vilnius Latgale became a part of Duchy of Livonia. In 1577, at the time of the Livonia war, the Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible demolished Latgale and took many people as hostages. In 1577 the invaders conquered and completely ruined the Dinaburg castle and the trade camp near it. The Russians constructed a new castle 19 km downwards Daugava from the old castle where currently Daugavpils is located. In 1582 Russia was forced to give up Latgale, it got controlled by the combined country of Poland and Lithuania and it became a part of Duchy of Livonia. In 1629 after the Truce of Altmark Latgale (Inflanty Voivodeship (województwo inflanckie) got separated from Vidzeme which was left in Sweden’s control. In 1954 the Russian tsar Aleksej Mihailovic invaded Latgale. During the Second Northern War, in the period 1656. – 1667., the Russians occupied the Southern part of Latgale and renamed Daugavpils as Borisoglebst. In 1656 the Swedes destroyed Rezekne castle and it was not restored. In 1660 after the Treaty of Oliva the Swedes left Latgale and it remained as a part of Poland-Lithuania. In 1667 after the Treaty of Andrusovo the Russian conquered part of Latgale was returned to Poland-Lithuania.
In 1677 Dinaburg became a part of the Inflanty Voivodeship administrative center and the residence of the catholic bishop. In 1700, during the Great Northern War, the Saxon army spent the winter in Dinaburg. In 1710 the plague raged in the territory of Latgale.
When Latgale was under the governance of the Poles, the whole administrative system was changed according to the Poland’s prescribed order. After the Truce of Altmark (1629) a part of the Duchy of Livonia to the East from Aiviekste was left in control of Rzeczpospolita and got the name Inflanty (this name was used till the beginning of the 20th century). At first it was a Voivodeship, but from 1677 – an independent administrative unit. It contained 4 senators or tracts – Daugavpils, Rezekne, Ludza, Vilaka, which were controlled by the king of Rzeczpospolita appointed senators. The senator of Daugavpils was also the senator of the whole Latgale with the rights of a voivode. Also in Daugavpils lived a castellan – a curator of castles and a Livonian bishop. These 3 officials: voivode, castellan and bishop were also members of the Rzeczpospolita senate. The Latgale’s self-government came together in Daugavpils.
The Lithuanian Statue came into force in Latgale in 1677. It was a code of laws of the Lithuanian principality, whose legislative force was created in three editions (1529., 1566., and 1588.) and was in force from 1529 till 1840. Historians and social progress researchers have acknowledged it as one of the best legislative acts at that time in Europe.
The nation’s folk songs reveal the real situation
Even though historic data do not provide specific statements about how much alcohol was consumed during the time of the Pole governance in Latgale. However, some folk songs show it. While reading folk songs it becomes clear that going to the pub and enjoying a stronger drink with all its consequences caused concern for many families. Here are a couple of examples.
Jesuits were the ones who took it up themselves to fight against drinking. They tried “to bring reason to the alcoholic’s senses” by explaining all the consequences of alcohol which will affect the alcoholic himself and his immediate family in the words of God. Jesuits were also the first ones who published written publications to fight against alcoholism in Latgale.