Jagiellonian Central and Eastern Europe
which states were ruled by Jagiellons;
why Władysław Jagiełło refused to become the king of Bohemia;
what was the fate of the subsequent Union of Poland and Hungary;
how and when the Jagiellonian rule in Central and Eastern Europe reached its apogee;
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Jagiellons ruled Poland and Lithuania. The outbreak of the HussiteHussite Revolution in Bohemia made it possible for them to rule another country. Offered by HussitesHussites to Vladislaus Jagiełło in 1420, the Bohemian crown was rejected by the Polish ruler primarily for religious reasons. He himself gave up the fight for the Bohemian throne, entering into an alliance with Emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg. New possibilities in dynastic politics appeared when the male descendants of the king – Vladislaus and Casimir, were born. After the death of Vladislaus Jagiełło (1434), the Polish throne was taken over by Vladislaus (named after Vladislaus of Varna) who was also elected the king of Hungary in 1440. Casimir became the Grand Duke of Lithuania the same year.
Unfortunately, the established Union of Poland and Hungary did not last long. In 1444, Vladislaus, the leader of the crusadecrusade against the Ottoman Turks died in the decisive Battle of Varna, thus ending the period of the second personal unionpersonal union. After his death, the Hungarian throne was taken over by Ladislaus the Posthumous Habsburg. His death in 1458 was another opportunity for Jagiellons to extend their power. Casimir Jagiellon, King of Poland and Lithuania since 1447, younger son of Vladislaus Jagiełło, began his efforts to make the way for his sons to the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary. In the end, Vladislaus Jagiellon did it, becoming the king of Bohemia in 1471 and the king of Hungary in 1490. As a result, the Jagiellons ruled a vast area of Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the 15th century, creating a real empire in Europe.
Look at the calendar of major events of Jagiellonian Central and Eastern Europe. Work out one of the presented issues with the help of the internet.
Read the excerpt from the Story of King Vladislaus [of Varna] by Philippi Callimachi and do the exercise.
Story of King VladislausA messenger sent by Cardinal Francesco arrived [to the king] with a letter and a message that a huge Turkish army had been sent to Asia against Karman, leaving Hellespont countries deserted and defenceless. The cardinal stationed his fleet on all the coasts and prevented his enemies from transferring their troops to Europe. He wrote that such an opportunity must be taken, as no weapon and no battle are needed to send this wild nation back to their country and inflict a final blow upon detestable paganism. [...] There was also a letter from the Greek Emperor [Constantinople]. He added that he expects the king, as he sworn, to be more keen on resuming war when he finds out that the Turks and the Greeks were seeking an alliance. However, the emperor not only rejected their conditions, but he also declared war on them. Now, he stands with his men armed to join the king at the foot of the mountains, or he will await him elsewhere if another place proves better. One should hurry now when the enemy is torn apart by war on many fronts, broken and scattered, and has not yet gathered his army, nor has he yet come to his senses after the last defeat. He is tormented by the thought of future defeats and not only cannot bear the blow of Vladislaus, but also cannot even stand the sound of his name [...].
Source: Filip Kallimach, Story of King Vladislaus, [w:] By czas nie zaćmił i niepamięć. Wybór kronik średniowiecznych, oprac. Antonina Jelicz, red. Anna Komornicka, Warszawa 1975.
Read the text and put the events in the table in the right order.
The cardinal stationed his fleet on all the coasts and prevented his enemies from transferring their troops to Europe., The Turks left Hellespont countries deserted and defenceless., The Turks were seeking an alliance with the Greeks as well. However, the emperor not only rejected their conditions, but he also declared war on them., The sultan is tormented by the thought of future defeats and not only cannot bear the blow of Vladislaus, but also cannot even stand the sound of his name., Now, he stands with his men armed to join the king at the foot of the mountains, or he will await him elsewhere if another place proves better., A huge Turkish army was sent to Asia against Karman.
| Cardinal Francesco | |
|---|---|
| Byzantine emperor |
Match the terms with their definitions.
a union of at least two independent states having the same ruler, a meeting of Catholic bishops under the Pope's leadership to establish new ecclesiastical rights and regulate the doctrine of faith, a medieval armed expedition usually declared by the Pope against infidels (Muslims, heretics, but also Catholics) and pagans, a religious, social and national movement initiated in the 15th century by Jan Hus in Bohemia, ascension to, inheritance of monarchical power by a successor in case of death, abdication or under other circumstances, religious views considered contrary to the official teachings of the Church
| Hussitism | |
| Heresy | |
| Personal union | |
| Succession | |
| Crusade | |
| Ecumenical council |
Keywords
Jagiellons, Europe, personal union, Hussitism
Glossary
Husytyzm – hussites – ruch o charakterze religijnym, społecznym i narodowym w Czechach zapoczątkowany w XV w. przez Jana Husa
Herezja – heresy – poglądy religijne, które są uznawane za sprzeczne z oficjalnymi naukami Kościoła. Pojawiały się przede wszystkim w pierwszych wiekach istnienia chrześcijaństwa (np. arianizm). W XV wieku za taki uznano ruch zapoczątkowany przez Jana Husa w Czechach.
Unia personalna – personal union – związek dwóch lub więcej państw posiadających wspólnego władcę przy zachowaniu odrębności państwowej.
Sukcesja – successor to hereditary – zasada przekazywania, dziedziczenia władzy monarszej następcy w przypadku śmierci, abdykacji lub innych okolicznościach.
Krucjata – crusade – średniowieczna wyprawa zbrojna ogłaszana najczęściej przez papieża i prowadzona przeciwko innowiercom (muzułmanom, heretykom, ale i katolikom) oraz poganom.
Sobór – ecumenical council – zebranie biskupów Kościoła katolickiego pod przewodnictwem papieża mające na celu ustanowienie nowych praw kościelnych i uregulowanie doktryny wiary.