King’s debts and king’s creditors in Poland in the first half of the 15th century

The loans and pledges of land estate were the basic source of additional money of the Polish kings and state in the times of crisis. The chapter presents the analysis of royal loans during the long reign of Vladislaus Jagiellon (1386–1434), their economic signification and social and political context. Most of ordinary loans taken out to cover royal expenses were usually given by Polish state dignitaries and knights. They were supposed to strengthen informal relationships between the king and his political supporters.