Radziwiłł family
Radziwiłł (Lithuanian Radvilas, Belarusian Радзівіл) is a noble family from The Grand Duchy of Lithuania. A branch of the Radziwiłłs became one of the most famous szlachta families in Poland. Polish Radziwiłłs retained the right to use the title of Prince (Polish książę), granted by Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor after the Jagiellonian-Habsburg congress at Vienna in 1515, which was a fairly unique title among szlachta. Their chief residence was Niasvizh Castle in present-day Belarus.
Coat of arms and motto
Family motto: The Lord is Our Counsel (Polish: Bóg nam radzi),
History
Recent research suggests that the Radziwill family descended from Lithuanian boyars--ducal courtiers, lesser nobility, who advanced considerably in the 15th century.
The Radziwiłł family has kept its importance and magnaterial status for over five centuries. They acquired and maintained great wealth and influence from 15th century-16th century until the beginning of Second World War in 1939. The family has produced many outstanding politicians, military commanders, clergymen, cultural benefactors and entrepreneurs who left a significant mark on Polish, Belarusian, Lithuanian and European history and culture.
The Radziwiłł family reached the heights of its importance and power during the Golden Age of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th century. Due to the activities of Janusz Radziwilłł during The Deluge, the family lost much of its wealth and power.
Members
The Radziwiłł family members include:
- Jerzy Radziwiłł, 1480-1541, hetman, voivode, castellan, marshall
- Mikołaj 'Ginger' Radziwiłł, 1512-1584, hetman, chancellor
- Mikołaj 'Black' Radziwiłł, 1515-1565, marshall, chancellor, palatine
- Barbara Radziwiłł, 1520-1550, queen
- Mikołaj VII Radziwiłł, 1546-1589, chamberlain
- Krzysztof 'Thunderbolt' Radziwiłł, 1547-1603, hetman
- Mikołaj Krzysztof 'Sierotka' Radziwiłł 1549-1616, voivode, marshall, castellan, prince
- Grzegorz Radziwiłł 1558-1600, Cardinal of Kraków 1591-1600
- Krystyna Radziwiłł, 1560-1580
- Grzegorz Radziwiłł, 1578-1613, castellan
- Janusz Radziwiłł, 1579-1620, castellan
- Krzysztof II Radziwiłł, 1585-1640, hetman
- Albert III Radziwiłł, 1589-1636, castellan
- Albrycht Stanisław Radziwiłł, 1595-1656, chancellor
- Janusz Radziwiłł, 1612-1655, hetman, voivode
- Bogusław Radziwiłł 1620-1669
- Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł, 1625-1680, hetman, chancellor
- Karol Stanisław Radziwiłł, 1669-1719
- Katarzyna Barbara Radziwiłł, 1693-1730
- Michał Kazimierz 'Rybeńko' Radziwiłł, 1702-1762
- Antoni Henryk Radziwiłł, 1775-1833, stadholder
- Michał Gedeon Radziwiłł, 1778-1850, senator, general
- Janusz Radziwiłł, 1880-1967, senator
- Anna Radziwiłł, b. 1939, senator, minister, secretary of state
- Lee Radziwill, b. March 3., 1933, younger sister of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, married to Prince Stanislas Radziwill