# Third Statute of Lithuania (1588)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1588-third-statute-of-lithuania
Location: Vilnius

The Third Lithuanian Statute was a sophisticated legal code that remained in force in parts of the former Grand Duchy until 1840. Within the broader Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period: The Commonwealth of Both Nations elected its kings and prized noble liberty and religious tolerance. It won famous victories but was weakened by wars with Sweden, Russia, the Ottomans and the Cossacks, and by political paralysis. At this point in the timeline (1588), the governing authority was Sigismund III Vasa (King of Poland). Also King of Sweden (1592–1599); moved the royal residence to Warsaw and pursued war with Sweden and Muscovy. Third Statute of Lithuania mattered because it defined rights and institutions that shaped Polish government and society. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Third Statute of Lithuania mattered because it defined rights and institutions that shaped Polish government and society.

Ruler at the time: [Sigismund III Vasa](https://poland-history.com/rulers/sigismund-iii-vasa)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Statutes of Lithuania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statutes_of_Lithuania)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Third Statute of Lithuania](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Third+Statute+of+Lithuania)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)