Strives at Abutment: Livonian-Lithuanian Border Area in 1541-1542 (according to the Documents of the Lithuanian Metrics)
The article is devoted to the research of social, political and economic situation in border area between Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Livonian Order in 1541-1542 (in the river basin of Western Dvina). The subject of research is the book of Lithuanian Metrics Nr. 560. The paper reconstructs the procedure of delimitation of lands and demarcation of borders, special features of migration and economic life in the border area are investigated. The development of the attitude to the «natives» and «strangers» was only slightly influenced by ethnical, cultural, linguistic and religious identity. The relations of suzerainty, the influence of local nobility prevailed. The state had hardly any influence on these conflicts. People appealed to local authorities in court cases, but on the whole the role of state authorities was insignificant.