Formal aspects of diplomatic contacts in the first interregnums (1572-1576)

New practice of the representation of the state based on the former tradition of diplomatic activity was formed in the first interregnums. State officers of the GDL assumed the functions of the sovereign, on the highest level collectively representing the country in the course of the diplomatic relations with the state of Muscovy. Muscovy maintained both official and semi-official diplomatic contacts with the representatives of the GDL political elite, thus unconsciously acknowledging their prerogative to represent the state. Pre-union practice of parallel diplomatic connections, utilized by members of the GDL Council of Lords and Muscovy barons, served as the formal basis for the abovementioned not regulated diplomatic contacts with the Muscovite Court. However, the diplomatic relations maintained on the highest level not only transcended the tradition of parallel contacts, but also contradicted an important attitude of diplomatic representation, stating that the principle of hierarchy should be followed in intercommunion, strictly observing existing levels of authority in respect of each other. Until the Union of Lublin it functioned as the organizational system of Lithuanian-Muscovian cross-border relationships: the monarch of Muscovy would only contact the sovereign of Lithuania, members of the Boyar Duma exclusively communicated with members of the Lithuanian Council of Lords, Metropolitan of Muscovy cultivated relations with the Bishop of Vilnius, etc. The Court of the Muscovian Monarch decided to allow compromises in the then applicable principles of cross-border relationships when pursuing the implementation of Ivan IV's plans to become the Monarch of the Republic. Seeking acceptance in the environment of the GDL political elite, the ruler of Muscovites found himself under the necessity to make allowances willi regard to the principles of the hierarchical diplomatic relations and maintain direct communication with the Lithuanian political elite.[Istorijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta