Editing Stephen Báthory (section)

==Final years==
[[File:Nagrobek Stefana Batorego.jpg|Bathory's tomb monument in the [[Wawel Cathedral]]|thumb|left]]
In 1584, Báthory allowed Zamoyski to execute [[Samuel Zborowski]], whose death sentence for treason and murder had been pending for roughly a decade.<ref name="Stone2001-125"/><ref name="psb123"/> This political conflict between Báthory and the [[Zborowski family]], framed as the clash between the monarch and the nobility, would be a major recurring controversy in internal Polish politics for many years.<ref name="Stone2001-125"/><ref name="psb123"/> In external politics, Báthory was considering another war with Russia, but his plans were delayed due to the lack of support from the Sejm, which refused to pass the requested tax raises.<ref name=psb123/>

Báthory's health had been declining for several years.<ref name=psb123/> He died on 12 December 1586.<ref name="psb125"/><!-- while in [[Old Grodno Castle]]--> He had no legitimate children, though contemporary rumours suggested he might have had several illegitimate children. None of these rumours have been confirmed by modern historians.<ref name=psb125/> His death was followed by an interregnum of one year. Maximilian II's son, [[Archduke Maximilian III]], [[1587 Free election|was elected king]] but [[War of the Polish Succession (1587–88)|was contested]] by the Swedish [[Sigismund III Vasa]], who defeated Maximilian at the [[Battle of Byczyna|Byczyna]] and succeeded as ruler of the Commonwealth.<ref name="Stone2001-132132"/>