Choroba psychiczna? Relacje Jana Stanisława Sapiehy z rodziną i otoczeniem

Abstract

Jan Stanisław Sapieha was born in 1588. His father was Lew Sapieha and mother - Dorota Firlejówna. When he was two years old, his mother died. His stepmother was Elżbieta Radziwiłł. He had good rapport with his stepmother, cousins and the court. The king Władysław IV was the best friend of Jan Stanisław. His father wished his son to be the Sapiehas leader. The relations of Jan Stanisław Sapieha with his environment did not diverge from standards. The breakthrough point was his defeat in the battle of Walmojza in 1626. When he lost the battle, his mental health started to deteriorate. He went abroad for treatment but he did not recover. However, when he felt better, he committed himself to politics. After his wife Anna Scholastyka Chodkiewiczówna died, he got matried to Gryzelda Wodyńska. Sapieha suspected that he was bewitched. He accused Raina Hromczyna of this and she was burnt at the stake. Sapieha was never isolated from the society because he was a friend ofking Władysław IV. His health declined again in 1635 as he suffered from depression. Jan Stanisław Sapieha died on 10 April, 1635 in Lachowicze. He was buried in the church ofSt. Michael in Vilnius with his wives and son. Jan Stanisław Sapieha's life confirms that despite progressive disease, with the support of the family and friends he was not confined to exclusion and loneliness. His family position and wealth played an important role in this case as well.