Sigismund III Vasa

Nothing but the wild valor of the Polish nobles could temporarily heal or conceal the deep wounds which their unlimited lawlessness inflicted upon their native country.

In the year 1506, Sigismund I had ascended the throne.

He was a wise, clear-minded, active, and just ruler, and a valiant warrior, the very king needed by Poland, threatened as she was by numerous enemies.

The name of great bestowed upon him is certainly not undeserved.

It must be said, however, that the peasantry, the Kmiec, were more completely enslaved under his reign than before, and deprived even of the right to send their children to school or to have them taught a trade.

In his old age, he died at 82, he fell entirely under the influence of his wife, Bona Sforza, a daughter of the ducal house of Milan, who provoked many uprisings by her intrigues and her fierce attacks against the rise of the nobles.

Sigismund I died on April 1, 1548, in the midst of general discontent.

His only son, Sigismund II, increased the dissatisfaction of the nobility by ratifying publicly a secret marriage he had contracted with Barbara Radziwiłł, and thus, in appearance at least, assigning to her family a position far above that of the other nobles.

A great revolution too was preparing in the east of Europe which was to elevate Russia at the expense of Poland and Turkey.

On the destiny of Poland the twenty-five years' reign of the fanatical disciple of Jesuitism, Sigismund III, exercised the most baneful influence.

In this time all the germs of corruption were developed which the predominance of a selfish petty nobility and the brutal violence of the Counter-Reformation had introduced into the state.

For a time indeed the valour of her nobles and her abundant population maintained the prestige of Poland abroad.

All the more credit therefore belongs to Lukas Górnicki's courtier, which was written in Polish, and is an admirable mirror of the usages of the higher society of his time.

The exciting political and religious life of the period exerted a stimulating influence on Polish oratory, of which some masterpieces remain.

Under the direful rule of Sigismund III, the luster of Polish literature began to grow dim.

The burghers were shut out not only from all participation in public life, but also from the higher education.

Finally John had him poisoned, February 1577, in the forty-fourth years of his age.

Contrary to his agreement with his brother, Charles of Sudermanland, John received homage as sole king, John III, and his son Sigismund was acknowledged as his heir and successor in 1569.

Like Eric at the beginning of his reign, he sought to lean upon the nobles, whose authority over the peasants he considerably enlarged, giving the higher nobility complete jurisdiction over their subjects.

As the Russians were threatening war, John concluded at Stettin in 1570 a peace with the Danes, which imposed considerable money burdens on Sweden.

These things induced John to proceed more guardedly.

Meanwhile, the house of Vasa was called to ascend one more step to power and greatness.

The Poles offered their royal crown to Sigismund, John's son.

This meant, it must be acknowledged, but little real authority.

Nothing but the wild valour of the Polish nobles could temporarily heal or conceal the deep wounds which their unlimited lawlessness inflicted upon their native country.

In the year 1506, Sigismund I had ascended the throne.

He was a wise, clear-minded, active, and just ruler, and a valiant warrior, the very king needed by Poland, threatened as she was by numerous enemies.

The name of great bestowed upon him is certainly not undeserved.

It must be said, however, that the peasantry, the Kmiec, were more completely enslaved under his reign than before, and deprived even of the right to send their children to school or to have them taught a trade.

In his old age, he died at 82, he fell entirely under the influence of his wife, Bona Sforza, a daughter of the ducal house of Milan, who provoked many uprisings by her intrigues and her fierce attacks against the rights of the nobles.

Sigismund I died on April 1, 1548, in the midst of general discontent.

His only son, Sigismund II, increased the dissatisfaction of the nobility by ratifying publicly a secret marriage he had contracted with Barbara Radziwiłł, and thus, in appearance at least, assigning to her family a position far above that of the other nobles.

Nothing but the wild valor of the Polish nobles could temporarily heal or conceal the deep wounds which their unlimited lawlessness inflicted upon their native country.

In the year 1506, Sigismund I had ascended the throne.

He was a wise, clear-minded, active, and just ruler, and a valiant warrior, the very king needed by Poland, threatened as she was by numerous enemies.

The name of great bestowed upon him is certainly not undeserved.

It must be said, however, that the peasantry, the Kmiec, were more completely enslaved under his reign than before, and deprived even of the right to send their children to school or to have them taught a trade.

In his old age, he died at 82, he fell entirely under the influence of his wife, Bona Sforza, a daughter of the ducal house of Milan, who provoked many uprisings by her intrigues and her fierce attacks against the rise of the nobles.

Sigismund I died on April 1, 1548, in the midst of general discontent.

His only son, Sigismund II, increased the dissatisfaction of the nobility by ratifying publicly a secret marriage he had contracted with Barbara Radziwiłł, and thus, in appearance at least, assigning to her family a position far above that of the other nobles.

Finally John had him poisoned, February 1577, in the 44th year of his age.

Contrary to his agreement with his brother, Charles of Sudermanland, John received homage as sole king, John III, and his son Sigismund was acknowledged as his heir and successor in 1569.

Like Eric at the beginning of his reign, he sought to lean upon the nobles, whose authority over the peasants he considerably enlarged, giving the higher nobility complete jurisdiction over their subjects.

As the Russians were threatening war, John concluded at Stettin in 1570 a peace with the Danes, which imposed considerable money burdens on Sweden.

These things induced John to proceed more guardedly.

Meanwhile the house of Vasa was called to ascend one more step to power and greatness.

The Poles offered their royal crown to Sigismund, John's son.

This meant, it must be acknowledged, but little real authority.