Jagiello

Jagiello yägĕˈlō [key], dynasty that ruled Poland and Lithuania from 1386 to 1572, Hungary from 1440 to 1444 and again from 1490 to 1526, and Bohemia from 1471 to 1526. It took its name from Ladislaus Jagiello, grand duke of Lithuania, who became (1386) king of Poland as Ladislaus II when he married Queen Jadwiga. His successors were Ladislaus III (1434–44; as Uladislaus I also king of Hungary); Casimir IV (1447–92); John I (1492–1501); Alexander I (1501–5); Sigismund I (1506–48); and Sigismund II (1548–72), last ruler of the line. A son of Casimir IV became king of Bohemia (1471) as Ladislaus II and king of Hungary (1490) as Uladislaus II; his son was Louis II of Bohemia and Hungary (1516–26). The female line of Jagiello merged with the Swedish house of Vasa through the marriage of Catherine, sister of Sigismund II, with John III of Sweden; their son was king of Sweden and of Poland (see Sigismund III). Under Jagiello rule Poland reached its golden age.

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