Krzysztof Radziwiłł

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For his father of the same name, see Krzysztof Mikołaj "Piorun" Radziwiłł

Krzysztof Radziwiłł

Noble family	Radziwiłł
Coat of Arms	Trąby
Parents	Krzysztof Mikołaj Piorun Radziwiłł Katarzyna Tęczyńska
Consorts	Anna Kiszka
Children	Janusz Radziwiłł Katarzyna Radziwiłł
Born	March 22, 1585
in
Died	September 19, 1640
in	Świadość

Prince Krzysztof Radziwiłł (1585-1640) was a Polish-Lithuanian noble (szlachcic), and a notable magnate of his epoch. Sometimes referred to as Krzysztof Radziwiłł II, to distinguish him from his father, Krzysztof Mikołaj 'Piorun' Radziwłł.

Owner of Biržai, Field Hetman of Lithuania since 1615, Castellan of Wilno (Vilnius) since 1633, Voivode of Vilnius Voivodeship since 1633, Great Lithuanian Hetman since 1635, starost of Mohylów, Bystrzyca, Žiežmariai and Seje. In 1632 he served as the Speaker of the Sejm.

He took part in the campaign against the Swedes in Baltic countries in 1621-1622 (Polish-Swedish War), where he agreed to a truce. Important commander of Lithuanian forces during the Smolensk War, where he was instrumental in obtaining the capitulation of the Russian army, also successfully fought in Inflanty against Sweden until 1635. Afterwards he retired from his military career, concentrating on administering his estates. Calvinist, great protector of Protestants in Lithuania.

Opponent of Catholic king Sigismund III Vasa, but supporter of his more tolerant son, Władysław IV Waza. Advocate of Władysław's marriage to protestant princess, but after Władysław declined this marriage proposal he distanced himself from the king. Opponent of alliance between the Commonwealth and the Habsburgs. On his lands in Kėdainiai he set up a Calvinist cultural and religious centre, which florished till the 19th century as a center of the Polish Reformed Church

His giant horse stables were famous throughout Europe.

Great Lithuanian Hetmans of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth