Editing Sigismund II Augustus (section)

==Second marriage==
From the outset of his reign, Sigismund Augustus came into collision with the country's privileged [[Szlachta|nobility]], who had already begun curtailing the power of the great families. The ostensible cause of the nobility's animosity to the King was his second marriage, secretly contracted before his accession to the throne, with the [[Lithuanians|Lithuanian]] noblewoman and former mistress, [[Barbara Radziwiłł]], the daughter of [[Hetman]] [[Jerzy Radziwiłł]]. The marriage was announced by the king himself on 2 February 1548 in [[Piotrków Trybunalski]].

[[File:Cranach the Younger Barbara Radziwiłł.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of Barbara Radziwiłł by [[Lucas Cranach the Younger]], ca. 1553]]
The young and beautiful Barbara was despised by Queen Bona, who attempted to annul the marriage at any cost. The agitation was also abundant at Sigismund's first [[Sejm of the Kingdom of Poland|Sejm]] (parliament) sitting on 31 October 1548 where the deputies threatened to renounce their allegiance unless the new king repudiated Barbara. The nobles portrayed Barbara as an opportunistic prostitute that charmed the king for her own benefit. That perception was shared with Bona Sforza, who decisively eliminated all her rivals by any means to stay in power. The young monarch even considered [[abdication|abdicating]]. By 1550, when Sigismund summoned his second Sejm, the nobles had begun to be in his favor; the nobility was rebuked by Marshal [[Piotr Kmita Sobieński]], who accused them of attempting to unduly diminish the legislative prerogatives of the Polish Crown. Furthermore, Bona departed from [[Wawel Castle|Wawel]] and went to [[Mazovia]] where she established her own small courtly entourage.<ref>Duczmal (2012), p. 119</ref>

Unlike her predecessor, Barbara was disliked by the royal court and led a more secluded life with Sigismund Augustus, who was deeply in love with her. On the other hand, she was ambitious, intelligent, perceptive and had an exemplar taste in fashion. She always wore precious pearl necklaces when sitting for portraits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historia.org.pl/2016/05/30/barbara-radziwillowna-wielka-milosc-zygmunta-augusta/|title=Barbara Radziwiłłówna – wielka miłość Zygmunta Augusta &#124; HISTORIA.org.pl – historia, kultura, muzea, matura, rekonstrukcje i recenzje historyczne|first=Milena|last=pisze|date=30 May 2016}}</ref> The mutual admiration between Sigismund and Barbara made the relationship "one of the greatest love affairs in Polish history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wyborcza.pl/alehistoria/1,121681,17158033,Barbara_Radziwillowna_i_Zygmunt_August__Najwiekszy.html?disableRedirects=true|title=Wyborcza.pl|website=wyborcza.pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ciekawostkihistoryczne.pl/2019/03/03/zygmunt-august-i-barbara-radziwillowna-jak-naprawde-krol-traktowal-swoja-ukochana/|title=Był dla niej najgorszym łajdakiem i świnią. Jak NAPRAWDĘ Zygmunt August traktował Barbarę Radziwiłłównę?|website=CiekawostkiHistoryczne.pl|date=3 March 2019 }}</ref> While still married to Elizabeth, Sigismund Augustus ordered the construction of a secret passage connecting the [[Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania|Royal Castle]] in Vilnius with the nearby Radziwiłł Palace so that the couple could meet frequently and discreetly.<ref name=d70>Duczmal (2012)</ref>

[[File:Zygmunt August I.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Portrait of Sigismund Augustus in armour, 1550s]]

Due to her unpopularity in Poland, Barbara often expressed her wish to reside permanently in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. To ease the situation, Sigismund Augustus provided a luxurious lifestyle and expensive gifts for his wife at Wawel Castle since her arrival in Kraków on 13 February 1549. The monarch also granted Barbara several provinces to administer and provide income. Although ambitious and bright, she showed lack of interest in political life, but had some influence over decisions made by Sigismund. This also caused an uproar among the nobility. To avoid an armed rebellion, Sigismund was forced to form an alliance with his former father-in-law, Emperor Ferdinand I. This allowed for Barbara's coronation as Queen of Poland on 7 December 1550 by Primate [[Mikołaj Dzierzgowski]]. Queen Bona eventually succumbed to her son's demand and accepted the marriage sending a messenger in 1551 who informed Barbara of her decision.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Besala |first=Jerzy |title=Zygmunt August i jego żony. Studium historyczno-obyczajowe |publisher=Zysk i S-ka |year=2015 |isbn=978-83-7785-792-2 |edition=1st |page=403 |language=pl}}</ref>

During their marriage, the Queen complained of poor health, particularly stomach and abdominal pain. After the coronation her condition deteriorated rapidly. She was tormented by strong fever, diarrhea, [[nausea]] and lack of appetite. After careful observation by hired medics, a lump was discovered on her stomach filled with pus. Sigismund Augustus gravely despaired and sent for doctors and even folk healers from the entire country. He personally tended to his sick wife despite her foul smell and dedicated himself when necessary; the king hoped to take Barbara to the hunting castle at [[Niepołomice]] and ordered to demolish the small city gate so her carriage could pass freely. However, Barbara died on 8 May 1551 in Kraków after continuous pain and agony. It was her dying wish that she'd be buried in Lithuania, her homeland. The body was transported to [[Vilnius Cathedral]], where she was finally buried on 23 June next to Elizabeth of Austria. Her death was a major blow to Sigismund; he often attended her coffin on foot while being transported to Vilnius in hot weather. Sigismund also became more serious and reserved; he avoided balls, temporarily renounced his mistresses and dressed in black until his death.

The cause of Barbara's death is debatable. Her opponents and family members suggested [[sexually transmitted disease]]s due to a number of affairs she had before marrying Sigismund. There were also persistent rumors that she was poisoned by Queen Bona Sforza, who had a long history of eliminating her rivals or enemies quickly and efficiently. However, contemporary historians and experts agree on [[Cervical cancer|cervical]] or [[ovarian cancer]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Frost |first=Robert |author-link= |date=2015 |title=The Oxford History of Poland-Lithuania. Volume I: The Making of the Polish-Lithuanian Union, 1385-1569 |url= |location= |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=437 |isbn=978-0-19-820869-3}}</ref>

It is possible that marriage resulted in two pregnancies as Barbara reportedly miscarried on 20 November 1547 and is speculated to be pregnant (and lost baby) in spring 1548.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Besala |first=Jerzy |title=Zygmunt August i jego żony. Studium historyczno-obyczajowe |publisher=Zysk i S-ka |year=2015 |isbn=978-83-7785-792-2 |edition=1st |pages=212, 237–238 |language=Polish}}</ref>