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| Casimir IV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Casimir IV, 17th-century depiction by an unknown artist | |||||
| Grand Duke of Lithuania | |||||
| Reign | 29 June 1440 – 7 June 1492 | ||||
| Coronation | 29 June 1440 inVilnius Cathedral | ||||
| Predecessor | Sigismund Kęstutaitis | ||||
| Successor | Alexander I Jagiellon | ||||
| King of Poland | |||||
| Reign | 25 June 1447 – 7 June 1492 | ||||
| Coronation | 25 June 1447 inWawel Cathedral | ||||
| Predecessor | Władysław III | ||||
| Successor | John I Albert | ||||
| Born | 30 November 1427 Kraków,Poland | ||||
| Died | 7 June 1492(1492-06-07) (aged 64) Old Grodno Castle | ||||
| Burial | Wawel Cathedral, Kraków | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue more... | |||||
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| Dynasty | Jagiellon | ||||
| Father | Władysław II Jagiełło | ||||
| Mother | Sophia of Halshany | ||||
Casimir IV (Casimir Andrew Jagiellon;Polish:Kazimierz Andrzej Jagiellończyk[kaˈʑimjɛʂjaɡʲɛ(l)ˈlɔj̃t͡ʂɨk]ⓘ;Lithuanian:Kazimieras Jogailaitisⓘ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492)[1] wasGrand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 andKing of Poland from 1447 until his death in 1492. He was one of the most active Polish-Lithuanian rulers; under him, Poland defeated theTeutonic Knights in theThirteen Years' War and recoveredPomerania.
TheJagiellonian dynasty became one of the leading royal houses in Europe. The great triumph of his reign was bringingPrussia under Polish rule.[2] The rule of Casimir corresponded to the age of "new monarchies" in western Europe. By the 15th century, Poland had narrowed the distance separating it fromWestern Europe and became a significant power in international relations. The demand for raw materials and semi-finished goods stimulated trade, producing a positive balance, and contributed to the growth ofcrafts andmining in the entire country.[3] He was a recipient of the EnglishOrder of the Garter (KG), the highest order of chivalry and the most prestigious honour in England.
Following Casimir's death in 1492,John I Albert succeeded him as King of Poland, andAlexander Jagiellon was proclaimed Grand Duke of Lithuania.[4]
Casimir Jagiellon was the third and youngest son of KingWładysław II Jagiełło (known as Jogaila) and his fourth wife,Sophia of Halshany.[5] Casimir's mother was 40 to 50 years younger than his father, which caused widespread speculations that the children were the product ofadultery.[6] A scandal erupted when Sophia was accused of marital infidelity and two of herladies-in-waiting were subsequently arrested and tortured for disseminating the rumours. To eliminate hearsay, Władysław placed Sophia before a court. It is likely that theTeutonic Order andGrand MasterPaul von Rusdorf were implicated. Following Casimir's birth, Sophia pledged an oath of innocence (iuramentum purgatorium) and the charges were dismissed. The question of paternity did not persist as many of the children, including Casimir, closely resembled their elderly father.[6]
He was baptised on 21 December 1427 and was named after his deceased brother.[7]Stanisław Ciołek,Bishop of Poznań, orNicholas of Radom composed apanegyriccontrafactum titledHystorigraphi aciem in honour of his birth which was sung at the christening ceremony.[8] In his early years, Casimir was nursed by his mother and supervised by vice-chancellorWincenty Kot, the futureArchbishop of Gniezno andPrimate of Poland, as well as by a knight named Piotr ofRytro. Casimir often relied on his instinct and feelings and had little political knowledge, but shared a great interest in the diplomacy and economic affairs of the country. After the accession of his brother,Władysław III, to the throne of Poland, the tutelage was assigned to CardinalZbigniew Oleśnicki, however, the cleric neglected his duties as he felt a strong reluctance towards Casimir, believing that he would be an unsuccessful monarch following Władysław's death.[9]
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The sudden death ofSigismund Kęstutaitis left theGrand Duchy of Lithuania without a monarch, thus increasing its vulnerability. His assassination, reportedly orchestrated by political opponents associated withŠvitrigaila, created a power vacuum that intensified the ongoing rivalry between factions in the Grand Duchy.[10] TheVoivode of Trakai,Jonas Goštautas, and other magnates of Lithuania, supported Casimir as a candidate to the Lithuanian throne.[10] However, many Polish nobles hoped that the thirteen-year-old boy would become avice-regent for Poland in Lithuania to secure Polish interests there.[11] Casimir was invited by the Lithuanian magnates to Lithuania, and when he arrived inVilnius in 1440, he was proclaimed as theGrand Duke of Lithuania on 29 June 1440 by theCouncil of Lords, contrary to the wishes of the Polish noble lords — an act supported and coordinated by Goštautas.[11]
When the news arrived in the Kingdom of Poland concerning the proclamation of Casimir as the Grand Duke of Lithuania, it was met with hostility, even to the point of military threats against Lithuania.[11] The Polish side had expected to oversee the transition of power in Lithuania and feared the loss of leverage over its eastern partner. Throughout the early 1440s, there were repeated efforts by Polish envoys to reassert influence over Lithuania or to compel Casimir to recognize Poland’s suzerainty. These efforts were rebuffed by the Lithuanians, who used Casimir’s youth and local presence as a political tool. Despite the fraternal relationship between Casimir and Władysław III, no formal reconciliation occurred during this time.[12] Tensions remained unresolved, partly because Władysław, after assuming theHungarian crown in 1440, became increasingly entangled in affairs beyond theCarpathians, including preparations for a crusade against theOttoman Empire.[12] His focus on Hungary and theBalkan frontier diverted attention from Lithuanian affairs, allowing Casimir to solidify independent rule.[12][13]
Since the young Grand Duke was underage, the supreme control over the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was in the hands of the Council, personally presided by Goštautas. Furthermore, Casimir was taught theLithuanian language and the customs of Lithuania by appointed court officials.[14][15][16] During Casimir's rule the rights of the Lithuanian nobility — dukes, magnates, andboyars (lesser nobles), irrespective of their religion and ethnicity — were put on an equal footing to those of the Polishszlachta. Additionally, Casimir promised to protect the Grand Duchy's borders and not to appoint persons from thePolish Kingdom to the offices of the Grand Duchy. He accepted that decisions on matters concerning the Grand Duchy would not be made without the Council of Lords' consent. He also granted the subject region ofSamogitia the right to elect its ownelder. Casimir was the first ruler of Lithuania baptized at birth, becoming the first native Roman Catholic Grand Duke.
In 1427, thePolish nobility initiated an anti-Jagiellonian opposition and attempted to haveWładysław II Jagiełło's sonsWładysław III and Casimir IV Jagiellon declared illegitimate to the Polish throne as they, being sons of aLithuanian noblewomanSophia of Halshany, had no blood link to the previous ruling Polish dynasty, thePiasts, however Casimir's father ensured the succession for his sons.[17] Moreover, the death of Casimir's elder brother, Władysław III, at theBattle of Varna (1444) during a crusade against the Ottoman Empire, created a potentially dangerous leadership vacuum. Władysław's death left Poland without a clear successor and Casimir was fraught with political maneuvering and rivalries within the Polish nobile class.
After a three-yearinterregnum marred by political contestation and negotiations, Casimir was elected King of Poland in 1447. His ascension was supported by key factions, but not without opposition. ThePrussian Confederation, composed of the cities in the region ofPrussia, as well as some nobles viewed his reign as a shift towards centralisation. Casimir's acceptance of the Polish crown was contingent upon his willingness to adopt a dual role as both King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, thereby maintaining the balance of power between the two realms. At his coronation on June 25, 1447, Casimir became both the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a position he would hold until his death.
The question of the political relationship between Poland and Lithuania was an ongoing handicap throughout Casimir’s reign. While the two states had been bound together in personal union since theUnion of Krewo (1385), they were politically distinct entities, each with its own laws and institutions. Poland then was more of ahomogenous and Catholic society whereas Lithuania remained multicultural and a predominantlyEastern Orthodox dominion that expanded across vast regions once part of theKievan Rus. It was also highly decentralised.
Casimir worked to harmonize the interests of the Polish and Lithuanian nobility while also maintaining his position as the supreme ruler of both states. TheTęczyński family often mediated between the crown and the upper class. Their influence ensured that Casimir had strong support within the domestic sphere while advancing his diplomatic agenda abroad. In Lithuania, the Grand Chancellor of Lithuania,Mikołaj II Radziwiłł, was instrumental in strengthening ties with the Polish Crown while safeguarding Lithuanian autonomy. He was nicknamed "Amor Poloniae" by contemporaries due to his pro-Polish stance and sentiment. Casimir's reign was marked by efforts to enhance cooperation, and also strived to secure southern and eastern frontiers which were constantly threatened by theCrimean Tatars and theGrand Duchy of Moscow.
In 1454, Casimir was approached by the Prussian Confederation for aid against theTeutonic Order, which he promised, by making the separatistPrussian regions a protectorate of thePolish Kingdom. However, when the insurgent cities rebelled against the Order, it resisted and theThirteen Years' War (1454–1466) ensued. Beginning in 1457, the Teutonic army fromKönigsberg unsuccessfully besieged their former seat atMarienburg and lost the nearby town of Marienburg (Malbork) in effect. At theBattle of Świecino (Schlacht bei Schwetzin) in September 1462, the Polish army and hired mercenaries decimated the Teutonic force, simultaneously cutting their future supply routes fromWestern Europe. A year later, the Teutonic rescue fleet was sunk at theBattle of Vistula Lagoon, resulting in the decisive end of Teutonic Order's navy. In theSecond Peace of Thorn (1466), the declining Order recognized Polish sovereignty over the seceded western Prussian regions,Royal Prussia, and the Polish crown's overlordship over the remainingTeutonic Monastic State. It was transformed following Casimir's death into a duchy, which became known asDucal Prussia (1525).
Casimir sought to maintain influential relations with theHabsburgs and theHoly Roman Empire. In 1454, he marriedElisabeth of Austria, daughter of KingAlbert II of Germany andElizabeth of Luxembourg,[18] a descendant of KingCasimir III of Poland. Her distant relative wasFrederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. The marriage strengthened the ties between the house of Jagiellon and the sovereigns of Hungary-Bohemia and put Casimir at odds with the emperor through internal Habsburg rivalry. Elisabeth's only brotherLadislaus, king of Bohemia and Hungary, died in 1457, and after that Casimir and Elisabeth's dynastic interests were directed also towards her brother's kingdoms.
The threat from theOttoman Empire, which was expanding rapidly in theBalkans and along theBlack Sea, loomed overEastern Europe during Casimir’s reign. While Poland-Lithuania did not engage directly in military conflict with theTurks, Casimir faced increasing pressure from the Ottomans’ allies, including the Crimean Tatars, whose raids intensified. He was, nonetheless, able to maintain a semblance of stability on the eastern border, skillfully negotiating with the Muscovites and theCrimean Khanate to avoid full-scale war. His diplomacy helped prevent the dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian alliance, and ensuring territorial integrity. In around 1480 Casimir was allied with theGreat Horde against Muscovy and Crimea, however, his failure to supportKhan Akhmed at theGreat stand on the Ugra River contributed to Russia in gaining its independence from the steppe nomads.
The intervention of theRoman curia, which hitherto had been hostile to Casimir, was due to the permutations ofEuropean politics. The pope was anxious to get rid of theHussite King of Bohemia, George Podebrad, as the first step towards the formation of a league against the Ottoman Turks. Casimir was to be a leading factor in this combination, and he took advantage of it to procure the election of his sonVladislaus II as theKing of Bohemia. But he would not commit himself too far, and his ulterior plans were frustrated by the rivalry ofMatthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, who even went so far as to stimulate theTeutonic Order to rise against Casimir. The death of Matthias in 1490 was a great relief to Poland, and Casimir employed the two remaining years of his reign in consolidating his position still further.[19]
In 1490, Casimir's sonJohn Albert was elected theKing of Hungary by a party among theHungarian nobles. He was, however, defeated by his older brother, King Vladislaus II of Bohemia. Casimir, who wanted to secure a separate realm for his sons, proposed John Albert. Most Hungarian barons and prelates preferred Vladislaus because his rule in Bohemia had indicated that he would respect their liberties. Vladislaus was crowned King of Hungary on 18 September 1490 inSzékesfehérvár.
According to theChronica Polonorum byMaciej Miechowita, Casimir was of tall stature and completely bald at the mid-frontal point (advanced receding hairline); his face was oval and lean.[20] Miechowita also writes that the king spoke with aspeech impairment (lisp) and was an avid huntsman from his youth.[20] He often hunted in the primeval tranquil woodlands extending over the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which were abundant ingame.[21] Casimir appeared modest and did not exude a sense ofpride, but is said to have enjoyed occasional opulence and splendor for significant conventions.[21] At times, his lack of frugality and preference for field sports over the affairs of state were met with staunch disapproval.[21] Records show that the king was fond of birthday celebrations for his children and watchedtournaments.[21] He was also known to be ateetotaller, and abstained from drinking wine,mead or beer at banquets.[21] HistorianJulian Bartoszewicz described the king as "wise [in thought], driven by reason and characterised by longaminity and forbearance".[22] Casimir cared deeply for his children's education and employed the finest tutors, chieflyJan Długosz, to supervise his sons John Albert and Alexander.[23] It is likely that Casimir was Poland's lastilliterate monarch as there are no surviving signatures, initials or monograms present on official edicts, though this claim is disputed.[24]
Casimir was interred atWawel Cathedral in Kraków, in a red marble tomb sculpted byVeit Stoss.[25] In 1973 a research team of 12 experts opened the tomb. Shortly afterward, 10 of the team died prematurely. It was subsequently found that the deaths were caused by toxins originating from fungus present in the tomb.[26]
Casimir and Elizabeth had:
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Bain, Robert Nisbet (1911). "Casimir IV.". InChisholm, Hugh (ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 447–448.| Preceded by | Grand Duke of Lithuania 1440–1492 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | King of Poland 1447–1492 | Succeeded by |
