"Regentka" Polski - fakty i mity w biografii Marii Kazimiery

Abstract

Marie Casimire is one of the figures in Polish history, which stir strong emotions among researchers. Many facts of her life have been distorted or misinterpreted; some of these mistakes are based in spurious documents of the time, but some others have no support in historical sources whatsoever. As a consequence, Marie Casimire has been defamed in the historical accounts, and her actions — exaggerated and negatively appraised. In both original sources and historiography we often find comparisons between Marie Casimire and Marie Louise Gonzaga, although the second Frenchwoman to ascend to the Polish throne was not as prominent and did not influence the politics of the time as strongly. The comparisons mostly refer the immense influence both women had on their royal spouse. However, in the case of Marie Casimire, the key to her power over King John III Sobieski’s mind was his love of her. It has been widely considered that towards the end of the king’s life, a weakening, sick ruler entrusted his wife with full control over the country. However, although it is true that Sobieski’s final years of reign were not as eventful as before, he did not relinquish his duties to his wife.