Wpływ publicystyki Jana Dymitra Solikowskiego na wybór królewicza francuskiego podczas pierwszego bezkrólewia po śmierci Zygmunta Augusta

Abstract

King Sigismund Augustus, despite three marriages and strenuous efforts, did not live to see a descendant, and thus an heir to the throne. Even during the monarch’s lifetime, the question of succession became an object of attention in many political circles. The 16th century was a time of rivalry in Europe between two powers: the Empire, ruled by the Habsburgs, and France, for which a treaty with the Commonwealth seemed a favorable solution. Regent queen mother Catherine de’ Medici allowed for the possibility of installing her younger son Henry of Valois on the Polish-Lithuanian throne. After the death of Sigismund Augustus in July 1572, steps were taken to implement this idea. Bishop of Valencia Jean de Monluc was sent on a mission to win the support of the nobility for the French prince and win the election. The task was not easy. In the Commonwealth, little was known about the brother of Charles IX, in addition to the rumors spreading about his involvement in the Paris slaughter of Huguenots (St. Bartholomew’s Night) almost doomed the chances of the plan. However, de Monluca’s agitation activities bore fruit, and Valois, despite the obstacles, gained more and more supporters. An important element of the political struggle here turned out to be opinion works that convinced the nobility of Henry’s myriad qualities. Jan Dymitr Solikowski was one of the most zealous and active supporters of the pro-French party. During the interregnum he published 19 texts promoting the pretender from the Seine, some of which were published unnamed. In the article I analyze the impact of his activity on the outcome of the election. In fact, did the works of the future archbishop prove to be an important tool in the competition for the Jagiellonian legacy? Translated by Stefan Kubiak