Aldona of Lithuania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aldona of Lithuania |
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| Queen consort of Poland | |
| Tenure | 1333–1339 |
| Coronation | 25 April 1333 |
| Born | c. 1309 |
| Died | 26 May 1339 (aged 29–30) Kraków, Kingdom of Poland |
| Burial | Wawel Cathedral, Kraków |
| Spouse | Casimir III |
| Issue | Elisabeth Cunigunde |
| House | Gediminas |
| Father | Gediminas |
| Mother | Jewna |
Aldona (baptized Ona or Anna; c. 1309 – 26 May 1339) was a princess from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. She became the Queen consort of Poland from 1333 to 1339. Aldona was the daughter of Gediminas, who was the Grand Duke of Lithuania.
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Becoming Queen: Aldona's Marriage to Casimir III
Aldona married Casimir III of Poland when he was about 15 or 16 years old. Aldona was likely around the same age. Their wedding happened on April 30 or October 16, 1325.
Why was this marriage important?
This marriage was a very important political move. It helped create the first alliance between Poland and Lithuania. This alliance was formed to strengthen their fight against the Teutonic Knights. Casimir needed allies to help him with a land dispute.
Gediminas, Aldona's father, had recently tried to make Lithuania a Christian country. The marriage was a step towards a stronger relationship between the two nations. It was a preview of later unions, like the Union of Krewo in 1385. These unions eventually led to the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
What did the marriage agreement include?
We don't know all the details of the agreement. However, we do know that Gediminas freed all Polish captives. About 25,000 people were released and returned to Poland. This shows how important the marriage was.
The alliance quickly began. In 1326, Polish and Lithuanian forces worked together. They launched an attack against the Margraviate of Brandenburg. This partnership was not very strong and ended around 1330. But there was no fighting between Poland and Lithuania while Aldona was alive.
Aldona's Life and Legacy
Aldona was known for being a very religious person. She also loved music. Court musicians would go with her wherever she traveled. Some historians even suggested that the musical instruments played before her were a nod to old Lithuanian traditions.
Aldona died suddenly in late May 1339. She was buried in Kraków, Poland. Her husband, King Casimir, married three more times after her death.
Aldona's Children
Aldona and Casimir had two daughters:
- Cunigunde of Poland (died in 1357). She married Louis VI the Roman on January 1, 1345. Louis was the son of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
- Elisabeth (1326–1361). She married Bogislaus V, who was the Duke of Pomerania. Elisabeth's daughter, Elizabeth of Pomerania, later became the fourth wife of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
See also
In Spanish: Aldona de Lituania para niños
- Family of Gediminas – family tree of Aldona
- Gediminids
- Aldona (fungus) (family Parmulariaceae), was named after her in 1900.
