Royal and Noble Families of Poland and Lithuania

[Alastair_r]

Mikush Sapieha

Anyone know anything about Mikush Sapieha ? X

 

[Marengo]

From this wikipedia site:

Mikush Sapieha (1966- ) a.k.a. "Michael Sapieha"; is a TV and movie actor (Operation Tango, 1999). He took part in the shows Australian Princess and American Princess as the "secret" undercover prince.

Mikush's father, prince Jan Sapieha-Rozanski remarried in the 80-ties with princess Cristina of Brazil (daughter of prince Pedro Gastao of Brazil and Princess Delores of the Two Sicilies); Cristina is a cousin of the King of Spain. You can fuind the genealogy of the family here. I think one of Mikush halfsisters, princess Paola appeared on Brazilian television.

The grandmother of Crownprincess Mathilde was a princess Sapieha, so the two must be related, though she is from the second branch of the family, the Sapieha-Kodenski.

 

[chaz]

Having allready seized Pomerania, the Swedish King continued his assault on the Polish lands, by attacking the crusader vassal states of East Prussia and Livonia(now Latvia) . The Teutonic Knights had styled themselves, Knights of the Cross, and after the Knights of the Cross had captured and converted the Livonans to Christianity,they were styled Knights of the Sword. At this time Poland was still preoccupied with the Cossack revolt, and not doing well there, having been defeated in two large battles. But then a hero arose,in the person of Prince Jeremy Wisnieowecki a Ruthenian Prince still loyal to the Polish Republic. Wisnieowecki and his armies would continue his defense, almost all alone, from his stronghold fortress of Bzaraz, during this period. (next Carl Gustavus assaults Lithuania)

At the time of Poland's greatest peril the weaker surrounding states seized the opportunity to attack the Polish-Lithuanian Republic. Thus it was that the Tsar of Muscovy invaded Lithuania, and sacked Vilnius. Grand Hetman Janusz Radziwill , who was charged with the defense of Lithuanian proper did nothing. Eventually Muscovy was able to wrest White Ruthenia(now called Belo Russ) from the Rezpospolita's grasp. (the name Lietuva, Lithuaninian language name of the country means Three Towers)

Carl Gustav of Sweden commanded the most advanced military forces of the period(17th century). His troops the best trained, best equiped troops in Europe. They came with artillery which was the most advanced, included field guns, siege guns and mortars. This is what the Poles and Lithuanians, of the Rezpospolita must contend with. Polish arms and armaments were However, more suited to the previous century. The forces of the Rezpospolita were more accustomed to conflicts primarily between light cavalry units, armed with sabres and other small arms, while there were artillery pieces they too were of an antique nature. This unequal struggle was about to begin in earnest.

 

[chaz]

NOTE; While there were thousands of heroes in the Rezpospolita.Limitations of time and space, make it incumbent upon me to name only the TRAITORS.

We have witnessed the treachery of Prince Boleslaw Radziwill and Grand Hetman Prince Janusz Radziwill,in not defending Lithuania from the depradations of Tsar Alexei of Muscovy,their traitorous acts will continue throughout the period called the"Deluge". But luckily Janusz would die before his schemes bore more fruit. All the same Prince Boleslaw would continue his treachery,in support of Palatine of Zweibrucken, King of Sweden Carl Gustav Vasa.

To counter some of this page 3 muck,I must tell you that even the Poniatowskis, elevated to the throne by Autocrat of all the Russias Catherine,were elected in the Sejm. This happened because the Polish Nobility would have revolted if it had been otherwise,Catherine ,what ever else she was, was an astute and very shrewd monarch, the last thing she would have wanted was revoltion so close to her borders. NOW prove me wrong, but come with sources! Any Poniatowski nominated and elected by the Sejm were elected becaue they were Polish!

 

[chaz]

In the interest of accuracy I must ask you to disregard the parentheticaly enclosed sentence ( "next,Carl Gustav assaults Lithuania" ) in POST 93. My appologies!

 

[chaz]

The Swedish forces under Carl Gustav entered Mazovia from East Prussia and Livonia, their path having been cleared by additional treachery. Vice-Chancellor Radziejowski, who had broken with King Jan Casimir,(who is always described as weak and vacillating,and was cowering in Saxony) encouraged Carl Gustav's territorial ambitions against the Rezpospolita. Every where within the Republic the shouted word WOIJNA! War! was heard amongst the Nobles. Palatine Opalinski another traitor brought about the surrender to Carl Gustav of all of Great Poland. Warsaw was occupied on the 8th of Sept. 1655 by Swedish troops.

 

[chaz]

I have discussed Lithuania's name as meaning Three Towers, actually this was represented by a symbol called a Tamga. An ancient pictographic writing system of the Balts.(many Polish Arms bear Tamga as Figures on their Fields) This is what was submitted to the Papacy, as representing Lithuania for the purpose of creating a flag for Lithuania. But the Papacy misinterpreted it (to be kind) presenting Lithuania with a flag, with an illustration of a conventional,European style castle with three turrets. This angered the Lithuanians, but they eventually would accept it as one of their nations flags. But in the meantime created another flag showing, a Knight wielding a broadsword, in medieval style armour, but no helmet and with blond hair, on a white warhorse slightly rearing on a red field. This became Lithuania's "official flag" the one to be seen beside the Polish Royal White Eagle flag for centuries to come.

 

[chaz]

Should be

Battenburg was changed in fear of the rampant germaniphobia of the time just as was von Saxe Coburg to Windsor. Chaz

Not Battenburg but Battenberg. Sorry!

 

[magnik]

Chaz my dear, our fellow Sigismund August was the last king of P-L from the Jagiellonian dynasty. But I wouldn't agree with that. Don't forget about his younger sister Anna Jagiellonka. On Dec 13 1575 she was proclaimed on Warsaw's Old Town Market Place King (second woman with this title) of Poland and Grand Duke of Lituania. Next day szlachta agree for that and give Stefan Batory for a husband. On May 1 1576 both Anna and Stefan were crowned in Wawel Cathedral.

 

[chaz]

Dzienkujie! Magnik; I did not know about Anna Jagiellonka, I did know Stephan Bathory, was elected and sat as King. I hope,I am never too old to learn more about Poland's history.

 

[richardsw]

Hey, I was reading somewhere that the princely house of Galitzine was related to the Grand Ducal House of Lithuania, which was united with the Kingdom of Poland until 1795 does anyone have any information about this?

 

[magnik]

Try here (not always the best source of infos)
Galitzine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gediminids - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Galitzine 1

http://genealogy.euweb.cz/jagelo/jagelo.html
G3. Pr Mikhail Bulgakov "Galitsa", boyar, +1554; his issue are Princes Galitsyn, for which see <A href="http://genealogy.euweb.cz/russia/galitzin1.html">HERE
http://genealogy.euweb.cz/jagelo/jagelo.html

 

[sgl]

Is anyone familiar with Prince Stanislaus Klossowski de Rola? I am a huge Rolling Stones fan, and I have read in many publications that he was an associate of Keith Richards during the late 1960s-1970s. According to Bill Wyman's biography, he was arrested in a drug bust in the late 1960s with Keith Richards. I have also read about this in A.E. Hotchner's book "Blown Away". However, despite listing him as being a prince, there is never any additional information about him, such as his lineage, lifestyle (other than Stones associate). Does anyone have information?

 

[magnik]

Here you go an article (maybe you know it?)
Joseph Caezza - Interview with Stanislas Klossowski de Rola

I'm afraid that you find more infos about his father than him. Stash was a son of Balthazar "Balthus" Kłossowski de Rola (the Rola is coat-of-arms) famous Polish/French modern artist. His mother Elisabeth Spiro has relationships with Rainer M. Rilke. Balthus was married twice. First with Antoinette von Wattenwyl or Watteville (divorced) , second with Setsuko Ideta artist-painter. From both marriages he had four children (Thaddeus, Stanislaus, Fumio, Harumi).

 

[chaz]

Tamga representing Lietuva

The Tamga representing Lietuva can be seen on the Arms of the Gedeminids(wikipedia post 103 by Magnik above ) Wikipedia calls it the Columns of Gedemenids. Actually the Tamga should be read as saying Lietuva(THREE TOWERS). This is the symbol(TAMGA) submitted to the Papacy for the purpose of designing a flag for the Grand Duchy.

 

[chaz]

The siege of Czestechowa Monastery

The defenders of the Polish- Lithuanian Republic were forced to retreat from the Swedish invaders to a fallback position at the Monastery of Czestechowa. Situated on high ground and surrounded by a defensive wall,Czestechowa Monastery turned out to be the perfect place for the Poles and Lithuanians to put up their last ditch defense. Surrounded by Swedes, Brandenburgers, Cossacks and Turks the soldiers of the Republic were hard pressed and demoralized by the Swedish siege guns and mortars employed in the assault. At this point the story becomes somewhat mythological (and sacred to the Poles)the prior Augustine Kordecki paraded around the interior perimeter of the Monastery holding the famous Black Madonna Ikon over his head. This electrified the defenders and raised their spirits to an amazing extent.This was observed by the Swedes,they were preparing for the final battle, when a Noble Lithuanian under cover of darkness crossed the lines and spiked the Swedish siege guns (a soldier who does this is known as a"sapper")(spiking entails plugging the barrels of cannon)and he sabotaged the Swedish powder dump. When the Swedes recommenced their assault in the morning,the siege guns exploded along with their powder. Now the Swedish attackers were demoralized,later that morning a mirage occured that frightened the common Swedish soldiery.The Czestechowa Monastery seemed to rise in the air. The best troops of Europe were terrified, and became unmangeable to their officers. The Swedish army began its retreat,the Cossack threat had been neutralized by treaty between Russia and the Cossacks. So entered the Rezpospolita into a hundred year period of peace.

 

[freddy]

The battle of Grunewald was in 1453 when the Knights were totally defeated and thereafter became vassals of the Polish Crown.

Dear Chaz, your knowledge of the polish history is really impressing, thus it is not so known outside Poland. But You made a little mistake: Battle of Grunwald was in 1410 (15 of July 1410) during the reign of the first king from the Jagiellon dynasty - King Wladyslaw Jagiello. The war begun in 1409 and ended in 1411. Although Polish-Lithuanian alliance won the war, the only important achievement was breaking the power of the Teutonic Order. It helped in the future, during the "thirteen years" war (1453-1466) after which Poland got lands back (stolen from Poland 150 years earlier). We have regained an access to the Baltic sea.

For us, Poles, the battle of Grunwald is one of the most important moments in the history. It was the beginning of polish domination in this part of Europe.

 

[chaz]

My Paternal Grandmother who was from Pomerania taught me a song when I was a boy she sang it in German but I will translate to English. In the Grunewald, in the Grunewald , is wood chopped down,is wood chopped down. my dear.

 

[chaz]

King Jan Casimir returns

At some time before his brother's armies laid the siege at Czestechowa, Elector of Saxony King of Poland Jan Casimir Vasa had returned to Poland, and was at the Czestechowa Monastery, the Nobles of the Reszpospolita had gathered there to defend their King. After the siege was lifted and Karl Gustav's forces retreated, The King gave most of the credit to the Ikon of the Virgin. In order to repay Mary, he decided to liberate the serfs. But this was no favor to them in reality. Removing them from the lands they were tied to,would force the former serfs to negotiate with their former lords for new terms. Just as in Russia under Tsar Alexander II this caused great problems in the Russian economy after 1863, this same year U.S. President Lincoln manumitted the slaves, this threw former slaves out of their means of sustenance and forced them to work for wages usually for their former masters. But in Lincoln's defense there was no other course to take,slavery had to be abolished.

 

[chaz]

Who were the Old Prussians?

The Prussians (Prus) were a third Baltic language group,pagans like their neighbors the Letts and the Lithuanians. The Crusaders after their disasterous defeat at the Horns of Hatin, at the hands of Saladin's arms and armies, fell back and occupied the city of Jerusalem(all ready in Crusader hands). Saladin laid siege to the city. After a long siege,Crusader forces, by agreement with Saladin, were allowed to leave Jerusalem. They retreated to the city of Acre in the Levant. Seeing that their situation in the "Holy Land" was untenable they began their retreat back to Europe. The Teutonic Order of Knights,along with some Knights of the Hospital of St.John of the Temple of Jerusalem,(known today as Templars) who were Frankish Knights, were ordered by the Papacy to go to the soutern Baltic region, and to cooperate with Polish forces in the forcible conversion of the pagan Balts. It was not long however, before the Knights showed how brutal and motivated by greed they were. The Poles were disgusted by the Crusader behavior,Poland had been living next to the Balts peacefuly,for a very long time. Poland then dropped out of this coalition with the Teutonic Order. But one of these Baltic nations had already been conquered, these were the Prussians, the Order ruled Prussia with an iron hand,even outlawing their Baltic language. So began the Germanization of Prussia.

 

[chaz]

Two Polish heroes of the American Revolition

There were volunteers from many nations during the American Revolutionary War. Two of the most famous were Poles. Casimir Pulaski known as the Father of the U.S. Cavalry. Pulaski died of his wounds on a battlefield in South Carolina. Tadeusz Kosziuszko was a fortifications engineer,he designed the parapet walls and some of the buildings at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point N.Y..
At the end of the Revolutionary War Kosziuszko journeyed to France where he participated in the the French revolution. Eventually he was arrested and imprisoned. After his release he returned to Poland,there he participated in an ill fated insurrection against Tzarist rule.

 

[Vasaborg]

King of Poland

Some people think Prince Michel Poniatowski should be King if the Monarchy was to be restored. He is descended from the last King of Poland ,Stanislas Augustus II.

 

[freddy]

Some people think Prince Michel Poniatowski should be King if the Monarchy was to be restored. He is descended from the last King of Poland ,Stanislas Augustus II.

Unfortunately, he died on 15 January 2002. He's got two sons, Axel and Ladislas Poniatowski. Both, they are french politicians.

 

[charles57]

More on Diana Lenska

I'm not so sure about this. Looks like a pretender to me, I mean, all of the signs are there. Futhermore, I would question those who claim to be directly descended from a royal line, and advertise it on Myspace (excluding Aleaxnder Schaumburg-Lippe who has a legit page of course.)

"Princess" Diana Lenska has recently purchased a mansion in Utica, NY with the assistance of a mysterious financier from Hong Kong (see City officials: Genesee St. mansion sold to Polish princess - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch ). I noticed from some posts on this message board that this has been her intent for some time. The reason for her interest in Utica is unclear, other than some very affordable mansions perhaps. The good people of Utica are very amused, but somewhat skeptical.

 

[James Frankcom]

Elective Monarchy

Who would be the true king of Poland today?

There cannot be... the thing is that Poland had an "elective monarchy". The nobility of Poland chose a King who ruled for life. Because Poland is now a republic there cannot be an election for a King.

 

[charles57]

Diana Lenska: Finally the truth!

Why am I not surprised???

Embassy officials: Polish princess headed for Utica is a fake - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch

 

[lyndaW]

I can't believe how much information all of you have...................
What about the present RADZIWELL's...............
I know that Anthony Stanislas Radziwell has died..........
but what about hyis sister
Anna Christina Radziwell born 1960 married in September 1999 Ottavio Arancio in Sicily...............is this Jackqueline Kennedy's sister Lee's child ????

Are their actually more Radziwell's -----------and what role do they play in society (if any).............are they Princess/Prince or what

Thank you, Polish history is confusing, espeically Monarchy without a country

 

[David V]

The elective monarchy was supposed to have been ended by the liberal May Constitution, which designated the Wettins of Saxony to be future Kings of Poland- which never happened due to partition, although Frederick Augustus I of Saxony did become Duke of Warsaw.

The szlachta or nobles of Poland was one of the largest such in Europe, although only four of the elected kings were Polish. The current acting President of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, is a member of the nobility (a Count). Even Poland's last Communist ruler, Wojciech Jaruzelski, was from lower aristocracy.

 

[chaz]

All titles were abolished in 1586,except for the title of Prince. Thereafter all nobles enjoyed equality,and were simply reffered to as "Noble". Election to the monarchy began before the
the Jagiellonian dynasty died out without heirs, as long as a member of the Jagiellonian dynasties of Europe was a candidate they were more or less automatically elected. The nobles met for the election of kings at Krakow this meeting was called the Sejm ( pronounced "same".) After the death of the Jagiellonians
other candidates were put up for election, this could become extremely contentious, because of the Liberum Veto which demanded unanimity. If the factions continued to fail to be unanimous, they could fight it out. You would not have Polish Kings ever again the hereditary monarchy ended long ago.

 

[chaz]

Polish Monarchy

Some people think Prince Michel Poniatowski should be King if the Monarchy was to be restored. He is descended from the last King of Poland ,Stanislas Augustus II.

By the time Poniatowski was elected King by the Szlachcic Pani the hereditary monarchy had been over for a very long time.