Sapieha

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The family Grand coat of arms (1858-1859.
The family Grand coat of arms (1858-1859.
The family coat of arms was: Lis.
The family coat of arms was: Lis.
Lew Sapieha, the most prominent member of the family
Lew Sapieha, the most prominent member of the family

The Sapieha (Belarusian: Сапега; Lithuanian Sapiega) is a Polish-Lithuanian princely family descending from the medieval boyars of Smolensk.[1] The family acquired great influence in the sixteenth century.

Contents

[edit] History

The creator of the fortune and power of the Sapieha family was Court and Great Chancellor and Great Hetman of Lithuania Lew Sapieha, a powerful magnate.

The family lost much of its influence after its defeat in the civil war in Lithuania in 1700.

On September 14, 1700 Michal Franciszek Sapieha obtained the title of Prince from Emperor Leopold I. The title became extinct upon his death on November 19, 1700. That year the family lost its dominant position in the Grand Duchy. In 1768 members of the Sapieha family obtained recognition of the princely title from the Polish Sejm. After the partitions of Poland, the family appeared in the list of persons authorised to bear the title of Prince of the Kingdom of Poland in 1824. The title was recognised in Austria in 1836 and 1840, and in Russia in 1874 and 1901. In 1905 the family obtained the qualification of Serene Highness in Austria.

[edit] Coat of arms

The Sapieha family used the "Lis" arms.

[edit] Members

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Vernadsky, George. A History of Russia. New Haven. Connecticut: Yale University Press. 1961. online