Poland lost its ruler in the summer of 1399. Jadwiga of Anjou passed away at the age of twenty-five, just days after the birth and death of her only child. This tragedy ended twelve years of waiting for an heir to the throne and shook the entire kingdom.
Long-Awaited Birth of an Heir
The ruler’s pregnancy became a matter of state importance. After years of marriage to Władysław Jagiełło, on June 22, 1399, a daughter was born in the royal chamber at Wawel Castle. The girl was given the names Elizabeth Boniface – the first commemorating the queen’s mother, the second referring to Pope Boniface IX, who accepted the role of godfather.
The king was in Ruthenia at the time and did not participate in the birth. He returned to the capital only on June 27, finding a dramatic situation. The newborn was in critical condition, and the queen suffered from serious complications.
Stanisław of Skarbimierz, serving as rector of the Kraków Academy, described the infant as creatura tenella – an extraordinarily weak creature. The baptism ceremony was conducted by proxy, with Bishop Piotr de Revellis serving as representative. Despite physicians’ efforts, the child died on July 13, at barely three weeks old.
Sepsis as the Cause of Tragedy
Jadwiga never recovered her strength after the difficult delivery. The loss of her daughter worsened her condition, and on July 17, the ruler died. The calendar of Kraków Cathedral recorded the time of death as hora quasi media post decimam tertiam, or half past one in the afternoon by today’s reckoning.
Historical sources unequivocally point to puerperal fever as the direct cause. This disease was actually a systemic infection – sepsis developing after childbirth as a result of infection of the reproductive organs. The lack of knowledge about hygiene principles and the practice of handwashing by medical personnel meant that such infections usually ended in death.
In medieval times, women died regularly from this cause. Jadwiga, despite her status and access to the best care, could not avoid this fate. The infection developed rapidly within a few days.
Testament for Education
The ruler was aware of her approaching death. On her deathbed, she dictated a will containing precise dispositions regarding her personal property. She ordered all royal garments, jewelry, and valuable items to be sold.
She designated the obtained funds for the renewal of the Kraków Academy, allocating two thousand marks of silver for this purpose. These funds enabled the resumption of the university’s activities in 1400, which later took the name of Jagiellonian University. Additionally, she founded the College of Psalmists at Wawel and a dormitory for students, especially those from Lithuania.
Modest Burial of the Ruler
The joint funeral ceremony took place on July 19, 1399, in the cathedral at Wawel. The ceremony reflected the deceased’s deep religiosity – instead of an elaborate royal catafalque, the coffin was placed directly on the floor. The remains of Elizabeth Boniface rested at her mother’s feet in the same tomb.
The funeral sermon was delivered by Rector Stanisław of Skarbimierz. Exhumations conducted in 1887 and 1949 established that the queen measured between 175 and 180 centimeters in height and had a strong, proportional build.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- https://www.medonet.pl/zdrowie/zdrowie-dla-kazdego,na-co-zmarla-krolowa-jadwiga-,artykul,63198625.html
- https://wielkahistoria.pl/przyczyny-smierci-jadwigi-andegawenskiej-na-co-naprawde-umarla-wielka-krolowa/
- https://historia.org.pl/2020/10/11/przedwczesna-smierc-krolowej-jadwigi-dlaczego-umarla-tuz-po-porodzie/
- https://historykon.pl/17-lipca-1399-roku-zmarla-sw-jadwiga-andegawenska/
- https://informacje.wp.pl/wiadomosci/tajemnica-smierci-krolowej-jadwigi-co-odkryli-badacze-7189238787833632a
Marcus Renfell
Marcus Renfell is a historian driven by curiosity and passion. He refuses to accept the “safe,” polished versions of the past. Instead, he brings forgotten, overlooked, and distorted stories back to life. His work blends scholarly precision with the art of storytelling, turning historical narratives into vivid, page-turning experiences.
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