"Czarna legenda" Janusza II Radziwiłła

Abstract

The article presents various source materials assessing the political attitude of Janusz II Radziwiłł, such as occasional poetry, letters, research works, or literary texts presenting the magnate in question. In the 17lh c. negative opinions of the Birża line of the Radziwiłł family appeared in lampoons pouring scorn on Prince Janusz’s decision to move crosses in his landed estate (in 1647). The Kiejdany pact was criticised more sharply. The authors of Latin epitaphs commented on RadziwiH’s political attitude in a particularly negative and mordant spirit, and they spread news about his allegedly suicidal death. In the 19lh c. the black legend of Janusz II Radziwiłł was particularly developed and perpetuated by Sienkiewicz, who drew, among other things, on the works by L. Kubala. The magnate in question has also been presented in a comedy by A. Bełcikowski, and in a drama by M. Dąbrowska. In modern research studies, the label of a ‘traitor’ is given to Janusz II in various historical books and dictionaries, and also in captions placed under the Prince’s portraits.