Barbara Radziwiłłówna

Barbara Radziwiłłówna Barbara Radziwiłłówna was born more or less between 1520 do 1523 year. However, she died very young in Krakow, and it happened 8 house 1551 year in Krakow. She became the queen of Poland, despite its origin, which was not related to any dynasty. She married Zygmunt August, thus she became his … Continue reading “Barbara Radziwiłłówna”

Barbara Radziwiłłówna

Barbara Radziwiłłówna was born more or less between 1520 do 1523 year. However, she died very young in Krakow, and it happened 8 house 1551 year in Krakow. She became the queen of Poland, despite its origin, which was not related to any dynasty. She married Zygmunt August, thus she became his second wife.

They were both widowers already. Barbara Radziwiłłówna, who after the death of her first husband, she began to associate with Zygmunt August, she married him despite general opposition from her family, as well as subordinates. Probably the wedding was brought forward due to the blessed state, in which Barbara Radziwiłłówna found herself.

She was a character colorfully described in many literary works, and was also willingly painted by various painters. She played the role of a heroine in such dramas as Barbara Radziwiłłówna or The Tragedy in Five Acts. Historians, on the other hand, described her licentiousness, by having at least almost 40 lovers.

The romance with the king with Sigismund Augustus took place even during his marriage. They met during the visit of the Polish king in Gieranoje. The king was to close all inheritance matters, and he met Barbara at that time. After which they began an affair. Her parents were the castellan of Vilnius and the great Lithuanian hetman - Jerzy Radziwiłł, and Barbara from Kolów. She also had a brother, Mikołaj Radziwiłł, who acted as the queen.