Ludność Warszawy w świetle spisów podatkowych z I połowy XVII wieku

A re-evaluation of tax lists from early 17th-century Warsaw challenges previous estimates, suggesting the city's population was significantly smaller—around 20,000 inhabitants by mid-century—compared to earlier projections. The study highlights that merchants and financiers from German-speaking regions dominated Warsaw's elite, while Italian newcomers had minimal influence. It also reveals that the bourgeoisie in Warsaw was weaker than in Kraków or Prague, with the latter cities boasting far larger urban areas (120 ha for Kraków vs. 26 ha for Warsaw). The research employs critical source analysis and conversion factors to assess demographic and ethnic structures, cautioning against over-reliance on surnames due to cultural assimilation over time.

Belzyt, L. (2022). Ludność Warszawy w świetle spisów podatkowych z I połowy XVII wieku. In Gremium. Studies in History, Culture and Politics, 16. https://doi.org/10.34768/ig.vi16.370