Kings & Queens
The Queen Regent of Poland
Marie Louise Gonzaga was a unique woman in history, having been queen consort to two Polish kings throughout her life. Marie was born in France in 1611 and spent her childhood with her mother. From a young age, it was planned for her to marry Gaston d’Orléans, the third son of King Henry IV of France and his wife Marie de Medici, but Henry IV’s successor, his other son Louis XIII, strongly opposed the marriage and when Marie was only 16years-old, imprisoned her in the Vicennes fortress then later in a convent. The first proposal that she marry the King of Poland, Władysław IV Vasa, was made in 1634, but Władysław eventually married Cecilia Renata of Austria. Then, after Cecilia Renata died in 1644, Marie Louise Gonzaga married Władysław IV by proxy only a year later, with John Casimir himself representing his brother. She was now Queen of Poland. However, it was only three years after her first marriage that Marie Louise Gonzaga was left alone once again, this time a widow after the death of Władysław in 1648 before marrying John Casimir the following year. Amongst the Polish nobility, she was hardly more popular than her new husband. They were scandalised by her active interest in politics, even though she later played an instrumental role leading the Polish troops to repulse the Swedish army during the Deluge.
Timeline
It was in war, though, that John Casimir Cardinal Richelieu until 1640, when he was freed distinguished himself. Much like his brother by a diplomatic mission. His two long years as Władysław, who successfully defended Poland a prisoner changed his life, and Casimir, who against foreign invasions during his reign, Casimir had spent many years living lavishly at various was a very talented military commander. At only European courts as well as leading a successful 15 years old, he had taken part in the Smolensk military life on the battlefield, was now set on War against Muscovy in 1633 and later even dedicating his life to religion as a Jesuit novice. unexpectedly joined the army of the Holy Once again, he left the Polish-Lithuanian Roman Empire to fight against the Commonwealth for Italy to join the French during the Thirty Years Jesuits in 1643. War in 1635, one of the longest Though King Władysław was After and most destructive conflicts famously tolerant of religious imprisonment in European history; all when differences throughout his reign in France, he he was initially supposed to be despite his being a Catholic, (temporarily) turned his John Casimir’s decision was going on a diplomatic mission to prepare for another war in one Władysław was very back on royal life and Vienna. During Casimir’s years vocally opposed to – causing became a monk at war, the new King Władysław a diplomatic rift between the unsuccessfully tried to enhance Commonwealth and the pope. his brother’s influence by negotiating Regardless of the opposition from the a marriage for Casimir to Swedish and King, John Casimir continued to live his Italian nobility, though upon John Casimir’s return life as a Jesuit and had even become a Cardinal. to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth it was Yet, only a few years after he had first started, clear that Casimir had other plans. He had fallen Casimir found himself unsuited to ecclesiastical life in love with Baroness Guldentern, but his hope to and returned to Poland. marry her was thwarted by his regnant brother. For King Władysław, the next few years marked The repentant Władysław then tried to reconcile the last of his life. On the 9 August 1647, his young with his brother by attempting to make him son and only legitimate heir, then only seven the sovereign of Courland instead, but this was years old, fell ill and died, a major blow to the also vetoed, this time by the Commonwealth king. Only a year later, while hunting in early 1648, parliament, and an angry and offended John Władysław suffered from a gallstone or kidney Casimir abruptly left his hated home country once stone, a condition that worsened due to incorrect again in 1638. His voyage was to Spain, set on medication. At 2am on 20 May, the King was dead. becoming Viceroy of Portugal. Little did he know John II Casimir Vasa had since resigned as that he would never reach his destination. cardinal to stand in elections for the Polish throne, On his way to Spain, John Casimir was captured and that same year was elected to succeed his half by French agents and imprisoned by order of brother. His reign would be monopolised by almost
Defining moment
Defining moment
Though generally disliked amongst the Polish nobility due to his open dislike of Polish Culture and politics, John Casimir had proven himself to be very talented as a military commander and had seen battlefields since he was a teenager. With John Casimir now in his 20s, his regnant brother Władysław IV Vasa attempts to arrange marriages for John Casimir to Christina, Queen of Sweden, who was Queen regnant from 1633 to 1654. When this failed, Władysław then tried to negotiate a marriage between John Casimir and an Italian princess, which was also unsuccessful.
In 1636, after his brother Władysław had thwarted John Casimir’s plans to marry Baroness Guldentern after falling in love with her, an angry and offended John Casimir abruptly left his hated home country once again. His voyage was to Spain, set on becoming Viceroy of Portugal. On his way to Spain, however, John Casimir was captured by French agents and imprisoned by order of Cardinal Richelieu until 1640, when he was freed by a diplomatic mission. Casimir had previously joined the army of the Holy Roman Empire to fight against the French during the Thirty Years War in 1637.
Attempted betrothals 1632
Life as a prisoner 1638
1599 l The Loss of the Swedish Throne John II Casimir’s father, Sigismund III Vasa, had succeeded his own father to the Swedish throne only to be deposed by his uncle in 1599. Ever since, he had claimed the Swedish throne as rightfully his. 1599
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l John Casimir is born John II Casimir Vasa is born on 22 March 1609 to Sigismund III Vasa (1566–1632) and Constance of Austria (1588-1631). His older brother, Władysław IV Vasa, is predescessor to the throne. 1609
l Joining the Jesuits Now in his early 30s, John Casimir decides to become a Jesuit and leaves the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth again, despite vocal opposition from King Władysław. 1642
l Becoming a cardinal During the 1640s John Casimir lived in Italy where he was made a cardinal, but reportedly returned to Poland a few years later after finding himself unsuited to ecclesiastical life. 1646