Ludwika Maria Gonzaga

Marie Louise Gonzaga de Nevers (known in Poland as "Ludwika Maria") was Queen consort to two Polish kings: Władysław IV, and Jan II Kazimierz. She was born 18 August 1611 in Paris (or Nevers) to Prince Charles Gonzaga and Catherine de Guise, princess of the French province of Maine.

Biography

After having spent her childhood with her mother, she was to have married Gaston, Duke of Orléans, in 1627, but King Louis XIII opposed the marriage and subsequently imprisoned her in the Vincennes fortress and later in a convent.

The first proposal that she marry the King of Poland, Władysław IV, was made in 1634, but Władysław eventually married Cecilia Renata of Austria.

In 1640 Marie Louise met Władysław's brother, Jan Kazimierz, and started her literary salon in Paris.

Cecilia Renata died in 1644, and on 5 November 1645 Ludwika Maria married Władysław IV "per procura" (Jan Kazimierz representing his brother). She actually had to change her name from Maria to Ludwika Maria in order for the marriage to take place, as in Poland the name "Maria" was at that time considered reserved for only Mary, Mother of Jesus.

The proper wedding of Ludwika Maria and Władysław IV took place in Warsaw on 10 March 1646. Two years later, on 20 May 1648, Ludwika Maria was widowed by the death of Władysław IV. Jan Kazimierz was eventually elected the next King of Poland, and married her on 30 May 1649. She died in Warsaw on 10 May 1667 and was buried in Kraków at Wawel Cathedral. Jan Kazimierz abdicated the Polish throne a year later.

Ludwika Maria was an active and energetic woman, with ambitious economic and political plans. The Polish nobility were scandalized at the Queen's meddling into politics, nevertheless she played an instrumental role in repulsing the Swedish forces during the Deluge.

She also founded the first Polish newspaper, "Merkuriusz Polski" (The Polish Mercury, 1652), and the first Polish convent of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (1654). She supported Tito Livio Burattini, an extremely versatile person, interested in mathematics, physics, astronomy, geodesy, economics, one of the first scientists dealing with ancient Egypt who also designed "flying machines". He lived in Poland since the early 1650s. [ [http://www.egiptologia.pl/egiptomania/ema_bur.html Tito Livio Burattini (1617-1682)] ]

Ancestors

ahnentafel-compact4
style=font-size: 90%; line-height: 110%;
border=1
boxstyle=padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0;
boxstyle_1=background-color: #999;
boxstyle_2=background-color: #bbb;
boxstyle_3=background-color: #ddd;
boxstyle_4=background-color: #eee;
1= Ludwika Maria Gonzaga
2= Charles I of Mantua
3= Catherine of Mayenne
4= Louis Gonzaga
5= Henriette of Cléves
6= Charles of Mayenne
7= Henriette of Savoy
8= Frederick II of Mantua
9= Margaret Palaeologina
10=Francis I of Nevers
11=Margaret of Vendôme
12=Francis of Guise
13=Anna d'Este
14=Honorato II de Savoy
15=Jeanne Françoise de Foix

Gallery

References

*

ee also

* Holy Cross Church
* Kazimierzowski Palace
* Ujazdów Castle
* Visitationist Church

###@@@KEY@@@###