Gifts Presented to the Polish–Lithuanian King Stephen Báthory Upon His Entry in Riga City (13 March 1582)

Polish-Lithuanian king Stephen Báthory and his retinue reached the outskirts of Riga on 12 March 1582.In the last few miles on the ice-covered Daugava river they were greeted and accompanied by a cavalry unit of approx.200 burghers of Riga. 1 The guard of honor, consisting of City guard units in full armour, was lined along the entire way to the market square, while others waited on the walls.The king then proceeded to his lodgings in the castle, while courtiers and militia were accomodated in less "royal" citizens' apartments.On the following day, the king entered the city through a triumphal arch specially made for the purpose with inscription on the front praising the king's "restraining of Muscovites" and that on the back expressing hope in the ensuing "golden times" to the citizens. 2 In the market square a stage was set up for celebratory fireworks.Customary to the occasion, gifts were presented and banquets were held that would celebrate the king's triumph over Muscovites 3 and his becoming the new sovereign of Riga City. 4 1 Relevant sources, largely cited and translated by Latvian historian Arnolds Spekke, give figures in range from 160 to 300 cavalrymen.Spekke, Arnolds (1965).Ķēniņa