Alexandra of Lithuania

Alexandra (Polish: Aleksandra, Lithuanian: Aleksandra; died 20 April 1434 in Płock)[1] was the youngest daughter of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his second wife, Uliana of Tver.[2] Though Alexandra's exact date of birth is not known, it is thought that she was born in the late 1360s or early 1370s. In 1387, she married Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia, and had thirteen children with him.

Alexandra of Lithuania
Duchess consort of Masovia
Bornlate 1360s or early 1370s
Died(1434-04-20)20 April 1434
Płock
Noble familyGediminids (by birth)
House of Piast (by marriage)
Spouse(s)Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia
IssueKazimierz II of Masovia
Trojden II of Masovia
Władysław I of Płock
Siemowit V of Masovia
Alexander of Masovia
Euphemia of Masovia
Cymburgis of Masovia
Jadwiga of Masovia
Amelia of Masovia
Anna of Masovia
Maria of Masovia
Alexandra of Masovia
Catherine of Masovia
FatherAlgirdas
MotherUliana of Tver

Life

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On 12 December 1385, few months after the Union of Krewo, Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia, reached a compromise with Queen Jadwiga of Poland and her intended consort, King Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), the brother of Alexandra. Siemowit IV agreed to cease his rival claims to the Kingdom of Poland, pay homage to Jadwiga and Jogaila, and to assume the position of a hereditary vassal to the Polish crown in exchange for 10,000 Prague groschen and a fief (the Duchy of Belz). The agreement was solidified by the marriage of Siemowit IV and Alexandra in 1387.[3]

Alexandra died at the age of about 65 and was buried in Płock. Her final resting place is likely a church of the Dominican Order.[4]

Issue

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Alexandra was frequently pregnant during her union with Siemowit, giving birth to 13 children- five sons and eight daughters- in about 25 years.

Grandchildren of Alexandra and Siemowit IV included Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, Przemyslaus II, Duke of Cieszyn, Sophie of Pomerania, Duchess of Pomerania and Dorothy Garai.

References

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  1. ^ Edvardas Gudavičius (2001). "Aleksandra". In Antanas Račis (ed.). Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 306. ISBN 5-420-01485-8.
  2. ^ Vaclovas Biržiška, ed. (1933–1944). "Aleksandra". Lietuviškoji enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Kaunas: Spaudos Fondas. p. 219.
  3. ^ Stone, Daniel (2001). The Polish–Lithuanian State, 1386–1795. A History of East Central Europe. University of Washington Press. p. 7. ISBN 0-295-98093-1.
  4. ^ Jasiński, Kazimierz (1998). Rodowód Piastów mazowieckich. Poznań – Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Historyczne. p. 90. ISBN 83-913563-0-2.

Karol Piotrowicz, w: Polski Słownik Biograficzny/ Polish Biographical Dictionary. T. 1. Kraków: Polska Akademia Umiejętności – Skład Główny w Księgarniach Gebethnera i Wolffa, 1935, p. 66–67

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