dr hab. Bożena Czwojdrak, prof. UŚ

Section 11.: Women and Power in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Times (Central Europe)

The problem of the influence of Władysław Jagiełło's wives is most often broken down by the figure of Jadwiga Andegawenska, who, depending on the work, is seen as almost a second king or at least a person with real power in the state. Against this backdrop, the other wives of this ruler come off remarkably poorly. But was this really the case? What was Jadwiga of Anjou's real power? Did the other three wives: Anna Cyleja, Elisabeth Granowska, Sophia Holszanska meant nothing during her husband's lifetime? It is known that in the case of the latter, widowhood gave her a certain political power, but what was the situation during Jagiełło's lifetime? I would like to answer this question in my paper.