Barbara Radziwill

December 6, 1520 (age 30)

Vilnius, Vilniaus Apskritis, Lithuania

In the spring of 1537, at the age of 17, Barbara Radziwill became the wife of Count Stanislaw Gashtold (Stanislovas Goštautas), Voivode of Nowogrodek, after he canceled his betrothal to Anna Elżbieta Radziwill, elder sister of Barbara. Stanislaw Gashtold was the son of the state chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania, and he was even said about him that he is more powerful than his monarch. The wedding treaty was signed on 20 October 1536 in Radun'. Her dowry included numerous silver and gilded tableware items, 24 fine horses, dresses of satin and damask decorated with gold and precious stones. In exchange, Stanislovas transferred property worth 8,000 kopas of Lithuanian groschens to Barbara. For 5 years, while this marriage continued, Barbara believed that her husband was unfair to her, although she also treated him quite coldly. They had no children, so rumors spread about her infertility and that she is a witch, so the Lord does not give her offspring. Moreover, when in several years Stanislaw Gashtold suddenly died after a brief illness on 18 December 1542, the court began saying that she poisoned them. According to the laws of that time, the widow had to retire from the world and mourn alone, but Barbara left her husband's house and went to Vilna, where she settled in the castle of her brother Mikolaj "the Black" Radziwill. Stanislaw Gashtold was the last male member of the Gashtold family and, according to law regarding childless widows, majority of his possessions were inherited by Sigismund I the Old, Grand Duke of Lithuania. On 15 June 1543, Sigismund transferred the property to his son Sigismund II Augustus who visited Hieraniony in October 1543 to take over the estate. It is likely that it was when Barbara and Sigismund Augustus became lovers. He made Barbara the maid of honor of his wife Elizabeth of Habsburg whom he married in 1543. Sigismund had already been Vice-Regent of Vilnius for fourteen years, and the city was enjoying its golden age. The Prince embellished the Royal Castle, furnishing it with a theatre, a choir and a picture gallery, replete with exquisite Flemish tapestries. Full of fantasy, he kept five bears, a lion and ten camels, as well as an extensive stable. Meanwhile, local nobles strove to keep up - palaces, printing presses and churches sprung up across the city. But in spite of this prosperity, not all bode well for the king-in-waiting. He was the sole heir of the Jagiellonian dynasty, the crucial link in the twin state of Poland and Lithuania. In July 1544, Sigismund Augustus traveled to Brest and returned with his wife Elizabeth of Austria in October to Vilnius, where Barbara resided with her mother. His Austrian wife was epileptic, and after barely two years of marriage, she fell from a horse, fatally injured. She died childless from epileptic seizures on 15 June 1545. Sigismund Augustus and Barbara were free to enjoy each other's company – rumors spread about their romantic rendezvous, hunts, and parties. Sigismund Augustus spent 223 days in 1546 hunting. It was said that Sigismund Augustus ordered construction of a secret tunnel connecting the Royal Palace with the nearby Radziwill Palace so that the couple could meet frequently and discreetly. The Prince would have to remarry - that was beyond debate. Sigismund Augustus and his parents searched for a new bride. The whole court wanted Sigismund to marry royalty. Sigismund's mother, the formidable Bona Sforza, was thinking along the lines of a Hapsburg or Bourbon. Sigismund I the Old contemplated a marriage to Anna Sophia, daughter of Albert, Duke of Prussia. Other candidates included Anna d'Este of Duchy of Ferrara, widowed Anna of Lorraine, Princesses Mary I of England and Margaret of France. But Sigismund fell totally, madly in love with Barbara Radziwill, but the Krakow court was dead against the match, and not only were the senators and the King furious, so too was the Queen, the terrifying Bona Sforza. Rumours had it that Bona, an Italian by birth, had used her Macchiavellian skills to poison the epileptic Habsburg for failing to produce a child. Yet such was Sigismund's passion that he did the unthinkable and married Barbara in secret in 1547. Sigismund Augustus informed his parents of the marriage on 2 February 1548 in Piotrków Trybunalski. The news caused an uproar among Polish nobles as Sigismund Augustus wed without the approval of the Senate. What was worse, Barbara was his subject and lover. Queen mother Bona Sforza was one of the most vocal opponents. All hell broke loose around the couple, a situation that was exacerbated by the death of the old King in 1548. Sigismund Augustus, who briefly returned to Vilnius, had to travel back to Krakow to attend the funeral and secure himself on the Polish throne. Barbara stayed in Vilnius. It seems that around the same time Barbara informed him of another pregnancy; it too ended in a miscarriage. Since it is known only from Radziwill reports, it is unknown whether it was a real pregnancy or another intrigue. In September 1548, Sigismund Augustus invited Barbara to Poland to show the strength of their marriage. The issue was discussed by the general sejm on 31 October – 12 December in Piotrków Trybunalski. The sessions were loud and rowdy. The nobles, including voivodes Piotr Kmita Sobieński, Jan Gabriel Tęczyński, and Piotr Boratyński, pleaded the King to abandon the marriage and even threatened to take up arms. Sigismund Augustus steadfastly refused and stood by his wife; reportedly he even considered abdication. The sejm ended in a stalemate. Parlament demanded a divorce, and all kinds of mud was thrown at the twenty-eight year old princess. Barbara was cast as the wicked Wallace Simpson to Sigismund's Edward VIII. The charges came thick and fast - that the marriage was illegal, that Barbara was a woman of easy virtue, and above all that she was incapable of childbirth. Yet Sigismund stood firm. Whether or not Barbara was guilty of the insults hurled at her it is difficult to surmise. But the gentry, proud of their democratic privileges, were certainly furious that the King should have gone over their heads, ignoring parliament and marrying the daughter of a magnate. And in Queen Bona's eyes, a Lithuanian lady was no dynastic match compared to a Habsburg or Bourbon princess. After the sejm, Sigismund and Barbara entered Krakow on 13 February 1549. In Wawel, Barbara enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle and expensive gifts. In May 1549, she received large territories in the Trakai Voivodeship, including Kaunas Castle, Rumšiškės, Alytus, Merkinė, Nemunaitis, Birštonas, Žiežmariai, Stakliškės, Karmėlava, Vilkija, Skirsnemunė, Veliuona, Darsūniškis. While she had immense influence on Sigismund Augustus, she showed no interest in politics unlike her ambitious cousin Mikolaj "the Black" Radziwill and brother Mikolaj "the Red" Radziwill. While they worked with her husband to secure her the Polish crown, she made no gestures to win support from the nobles or favor from the people. When a compromise solution was offered – recognize Barbara as Sigismund Augustus' wife but not to crown her as Queen of Poland – Sigismund Augustus refused because that would cast a doubt on legitimacy of any future children. In summer 1549, to protect himself from a possible armed rebellion, Sigismund Augustus concluded an alliance with Ferdinand, King of Hungary, leaving his sister Isabella Jagiellon to fend for herself in the succession disputes in the Kingdom of Hungary. To obtain papal brief allowing Barbara's coronation, Sigismund Augustus issued an edict prohibiting heresy – a controversial move in a country that had many Eastern Orthodox. He also worked to threaten, bribe, or otherwise persuade Polish nobles not to oppose the marriage. His mother and one of the most vocal opponents, dowager Queen Bona Sforza, was removed from the court and moved to Mazovia. At the next sejm in May–July 1550, no one objected to the marriage. Therefore, while neither the sejm nor the senate gave an express permission, Barbara was crowned as Queen of Poland on 7 December 1550 in Wawel Cathedral by Mikolaj III Dzierzgowski, Archbishop of Gniezno. However, her reign lasted only five months. Almost since her wedding in 1547, she complained of poor health, particularly of stomach pain or "internal stones". After the coronation her health took a turn for worse. She had fever, stomach pain, lost appetite. A lump appeared on her stomach full of pus. Sigismund was distraught. Once again, the rumours circulated that Queen Bona had been up to her poisonous tricks. (Until this day, historians cite the charge of foul play). The young King did everything he could to save his bride, but to no avail. Barbara breathed her last at Wawel Castle on 8th May 1551. The King was inconsolable. According to her dying wishes, Barbara was to be buried in Vilnius cathedral, and the King set off with the cortege on the huge journey to Vilnius. He would wear black for the remainder of his life. According to a legend, Sigismund was desperately lonely for Barbara, and he traveled to Niasvizh, the Radziwill castle in Belorus. There he had sorcerer Pan Twardowski summon her ghost. The sorcerer warned him not to move or make a sound when she appeared. But when he saw Barbara, Sigismund joyously flung himself at her, only to have her vanish in a puff of smoke. Barbara may not have entirely deserted Niasvizh Castle. The castle is said to be haunted by a Black Lady who wanders there in mourning clothes, her sobs echoing through its darkened halls.

Barbara Radziwill Edit Profile

Radziwiłł

queen

Background

Barbara was born on December 6, 1520 in Vilnius or Dubingiai (today’s Lithuania) and was the youngest daughter of the powerful Lithuanian tycoon Jerzy Radziwill, the Voivode of Trakai and Vilnius and Great Lithuanian Hetman, and his wife Barbara Kolanka, daughter of Voivode of Podolia. Her family was so wealthy that she was able to single out to her beloved Basya a dowry equivalent to what many European kings left as a legacy to the Dauphinas.

Education

Parents took care of the education of the girl. In particular, it is known that she spoke 6 languages, including Latin and Greek. In addition, Barbara was taught drawing, math, riding, geography, playing musical instruments, theology, etc. Thus, by the time she began to be considered a girl for marriage, Barbara Radziwill was one of the most educated women of her time, possessing knowledge that meets all the requirements of the European Renaissance.

Career

In the spring of 1537, at the age of 17, Barbara Radziwill became the wife of Count Stanislaw Gashtold (Stanislovas Goštautas), Voivode of Nowogrodek, after he canceled his betrothal to Anna Elżbieta Radziwill, elder sister of Barbara. Stanislaw Gashtold was the son of the state chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania, and he was even said about him that he is more powerful than his monarch. The wedding treaty was signed on 20 October 1536 in Radun'. Her dowry included numerous silver and gilded tableware items, 24 fine horses, dresses of satin and damask decorated with gold and precious stones. In exchange, Stanislovas transferred property worth 8,000 kopas of Lithuanian groschens to Barbara.

For 5 years, while this marriage continued, Barbara believed that her husband was unfair to her, although she also treated him quite coldly. They had no children, so rumors spread about her infertility and that she is a witch, so the Lord does not give her offspring. Moreover, when in several years Stanislaw Gashtold suddenly died after a brief illness on 18 December 1542, the court began saying that she poisoned them.

According to the laws of that time, the widow had to retire from the world and mourn alone, but Barbara left her husband's house and went to Vilna, where she settled in the castle of her brother Mikolaj "the Black" Radziwill. Stanislaw Gashtold was the last male member of the Gashtold family and, according to law regarding childless widows, majority of his possessions were inherited by Sigismund I the Old, Grand Duke of Lithuania. On 15 June 1543, Sigismund transferred the property to his son Sigismund II Augustus who visited Hieraniony in October 1543 to take over the estate. It is likely that it was when Barbara and Sigismund Augustus became lovers. He made Barbara the maid of honor of his wife Elizabeth of Habsburg whom he married in 1543. Sigismund had already been Vice-Regent of Vilnius for fourteen years, and the city was enjoying its golden age. The Prince embellished the Royal Castle, furnishing it with a theatre, a choir and a picture gallery, replete with exquisite Flemish tapestries. Full of fantasy, he kept five bears, a lion and ten camels, as well as an extensive stable. Meanwhile, local nobles strove to keep up - palaces, printing presses and churches sprung up across the city. But in spite of this prosperity, not all bode well for the king-in-waiting. He was the sole heir of the Jagiellonian dynasty, the crucial link in the twin state of Poland and Lithuania. In July 1544, Sigismund Augustus traveled to Brest and returned with his wife Elizabeth of Austria in October to Vilnius, where Barbara resided with her mother. His Austrian wife was epileptic, and after barely two years of marriage, she fell from a horse, fatally injured. She died childless from epileptic seizures on 15 June 1545.

Sigismund Augustus and Barbara were free to enjoy each other's company – rumors spread about their romantic rendezvous, hunts, and parties. Sigismund Augustus spent 223 days in 1546 hunting. It was said that Sigismund Augustus ordered construction of a secret tunnel connecting the Royal Palace with the nearby Radziwill Palace so that the couple could meet frequently and discreetly.

The Prince would have to remarry - that was beyond debate. Sigismund Augustus and his parents searched for a new bride. The whole court wanted Sigismund to marry royalty. Sigismund's mother, the formidable Bona Sforza, was thinking along the lines of a Hapsburg or Bourbon. Sigismund I the Old contemplated a marriage to Anna Sophia, daughter of Albert, Duke of Prussia. Other candidates included Anna d'Este of Duchy of Ferrara, widowed Anna of Lorraine, Princesses Mary I of England and Margaret of France. But Sigismund fell totally, madly in love with Barbara Radziwill, but the Krakow court was dead against the match, and not only were the senators and the King furious, so too was the Queen, the terrifying Bona Sforza. Rumours had it that Bona, an Italian by birth, had used her Macchiavellian skills to poison the epileptic Habsburg for failing to produce a child.

Yet such was Sigismund's passion that he did the unthinkable and married Barbara in secret in 1547.

Sigismund Augustus informed his parents of the marriage on 2 February 1548 in Piotrków Trybunalski. The news caused an uproar among Polish nobles as Sigismund Augustus wed without the approval of the Senate. What was worse, Barbara was his subject and lover. Queen mother Bona Sforza was one of the most vocal opponents.

All hell broke loose around the couple, a situation that was exacerbated by the death of the old King in 1548. Sigismund Augustus, who briefly returned to Vilnius, had to travel back to Krakow to attend the funeral and secure himself on the Polish throne. Barbara stayed in Vilnius. It seems that around the same time Barbara informed him of another pregnancy; it too ended in a miscarriage. Since it is known only from Radziwill reports, it is unknown whether it was a real pregnancy or another intrigue. In September 1548, Sigismund Augustus invited Barbara to Poland to show the strength of their marriage. The issue was discussed by the general sejm on 31 October – 12 December in Piotrków Trybunalski. The sessions were loud and rowdy. The nobles, including voivodes Piotr Kmita Sobieński, Jan Gabriel Tęczyński, and Piotr Boratyński, pleaded the King to abandon the marriage and even threatened to take up arms. Sigismund Augustus steadfastly refused and stood by his wife; reportedly he even considered abdication. The sejm ended in a stalemate.

Parlament demanded a divorce, and all kinds of mud was thrown at the twenty-eight year old princess. Barbara was cast as the wicked Wallace Simpson to Sigismund's Edward VIII. The charges came thick and fast - that the marriage was illegal, that Barbara was a woman of easy virtue, and above all that she was incapable of childbirth. Yet Sigismund stood firm.

Whether or not Barbara was guilty of the insults hurled at her it is difficult to surmise. But the gentry, proud of their democratic privileges, were certainly furious that the King should have gone over their heads, ignoring parliament and marrying the daughter of a magnate. And in Queen Bona's eyes, a Lithuanian lady was no dynastic match compared to a Habsburg or Bourbon princess.

After the sejm, Sigismund and Barbara entered Krakow on 13 February 1549. In Wawel, Barbara enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle and expensive gifts. In May 1549, she received large territories in the Trakai Voivodeship, including Kaunas Castle, Rumšiškės, Alytus, Merkinė, Nemunaitis, Birštonas, Žiežmariai, Stakliškės, Karmėlava, Vilkija, Skirsnemunė, Veliuona, Darsūniškis. While she had immense influence on Sigismund Augustus, she showed no interest in politics unlike her ambitious cousin Mikolaj "the Black" Radziwill and brother Mikolaj "the Red" Radziwill. While they worked with her husband to secure her the Polish crown, she made no gestures to win support from the nobles or favor from the people. When a compromise solution was offered – recognize Barbara as Sigismund Augustus' wife but not to crown her as Queen of Poland – Sigismund Augustus refused because that would cast a doubt on legitimacy of any future children. In summer 1549, to protect himself from a possible armed rebellion, Sigismund Augustus concluded an alliance with Ferdinand, King of Hungary, leaving his sister Isabella Jagiellon to fend for herself in the succession disputes in the Kingdom of Hungary. To obtain papal brief allowing Barbara's coronation, Sigismund Augustus issued an edict prohibiting heresy – a controversial move in a country that had many Eastern Orthodox. He also worked to threaten, bribe, or otherwise persuade Polish nobles not to oppose the marriage. His mother and one of the most vocal opponents, dowager Queen Bona Sforza, was removed from the court and moved to Mazovia.

At the next sejm in May–July 1550, no one objected to the marriage. Therefore, while neither the sejm nor the senate gave an express permission, Barbara was crowned as Queen of Poland on 7 December 1550 in Wawel Cathedral by Mikolaj III Dzierzgowski, Archbishop of Gniezno. However, her reign lasted only five months. Almost since her wedding in 1547, she complained of poor health, particularly of stomach pain or "internal stones". After the coronation her health took a turn for worse. She had fever, stomach pain, lost appetite. A lump appeared on her stomach full of pus.

Sigismund was distraught. Once again, the rumours circulated that Queen Bona had been up to her poisonous tricks. (Until this day, historians cite the charge of foul play). The young King did everything he could to save his bride, but to no avail. Barbara breathed her last at Wawel Castle on 8th May 1551.

The King was inconsolable. According to her dying wishes, Barbara was to be buried in Vilnius cathedral, and the King set off with the cortege on the huge journey to Vilnius. He would wear black for the remainder of his life.

According to a legend, Sigismund was desperately lonely for Barbara, and he traveled to Niasvizh, the Radziwill castle in Belorus. There he had sorcerer Pan Twardowski summon her ghost. The sorcerer warned him not to move or make a sound when she appeared. But when he saw Barbara, Sigismund joyously flung himself at her, only to have her vanish in a puff of smoke. Barbara may not have entirely deserted Niasvizh Castle. The castle is said to be haunted by a Black Lady who wanders there in mourning clothes, her sobs echoing through its darkened halls.

Achievements

Barbara Radziwill became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania as consort of Sigismund II Augustus. Her life became surrounded by many rumors and myths. She was a heroine of many legends in a wide range of literary works. From the 18th century, the life of Barbara became romanticized as the great tragic love affair. It has been used as an example of "love conquers all" with Bona Sforza often acting as the chief villain. It caught public imagination and has inspired many artists to create poems, plays, films, and other works. That made Barbara Radziwill one of the best known and most recognized women in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Kingdom of Poland.

Politics

Barbara had immense influence on the King Sigismund Augustus, but she showed no interest in politics unlike her ambitious cousin Mikolaj "the Black" Radziwill and brother Mikolaj "the Red" Radziwill. While they worked with her husband to secure her the Polish crown, she made no gestures to win support from the nobles or favor from the people.

Views

Quotations: Sigismund and Barbara were happy together, and they carried on a torrid love affair. When they couldn't be together, Barbara sent him love letters. "I am sending Your Royal Grace my little ring as a sign of my modest service," she wrote, "which I dedicate to the kindness of my kind-hearted Master, Your Royal Grace."

Personality

According to her contemporaries, Barbara was very beautiful. According to letters of the time, she was amongst the most beautiful ladies in Europe. Moreover, Barbara had an interest in fashion and cosmetics; she used perfumes and face powder. She was also well-educated; she could speak and write Polish, Lithuanian, and Ruthenian, an old kind of Belarusian.

Connections

On 18 May 1537, Barbara Radziwill married Count Stanislaw Gashtold (Stanislovas Goštautas), Voivode of Nowogrodek. They had no children. Stanislaw Gashtold suddenly died after a brief illness on 18 December 1542. Barbara, a great beauty and already widowed, became a royal mistress of the Prince Sigismund Augustus in 1543. They got married in secret in July or August 1547. They had no children.

Father:: Jerzy Radziwill
Mother:: Barbara Kolanka
Brother:: Mikołaj "the Red" Radziwiłł
Cousin:: Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł
husband:: Sigismund II Augustus
mother-in-law:: Bona Sforza

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