Maria of Masovia

Maria on a family tree by Cornelius Krommeny

Maria of Masovia (pl: Maria mazowiecka; 1408/15–14 February 1454), was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Masovian branch.

She was the sixth daughter of Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia and Alexandra, a daughter of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania and sister of King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland.

Life

In Poznań on 24 June 1432, Maria married Bogislaw IX, Duke of Pomerania-Wolgast-Słupsk in Stargard, first-cousin and heir designated of Eric of Pomerania, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The marriage strengthened the alliance between Bogislaw IX and King Władysław II Jagiełło against the Teutonic Order, and as a result they lost the land who connected them with the Holy Roman Empire. For this, the Order tried to prevent the wedding, and Bogislaw IX had to arrive in Poznań dressed like a pilgrim. The couple had at least three daughters:

• Sophie of Pomerania (1435 - 24 August 1497), married Eric II, Duke of Pomerania.
• Alexandra of Pomerania (ca. 1437 - 17 October 1451^[1][2]), betrothed to Albrecht III Achilles, Margrave of Brandenburg in 1446.
• A daughter (d. young, ca. bef. 30 November 1449).^[3]

After her husband's death on 7 December 1446, Maria became in the regent of his domains until 1449, when the male heir, ex-King Eric, returned to rule after being deposed from his three Kingdoms.

Maria died on 14 February 1454. She was buried in the Chapel of Słupsk Castle. During renovations in 1788 her sarcophagus was found and burned.

Notes

1. E. Rymar, Rodowód książąt pomorskich, Szczecin 2005, p. 349.
2. Others sources placed her death in 1450. See: J. W. Szymański: Książęcy ród Gryfitów, Goleniów – Kielce 2006, p. 40.
3. E. Rymar, Rodowód książąt pomorskich, Szczecin 2005, pp. 347-349.

References

• M. Wilamowski: Maria, [in:] K. Ożóg, S. Szczur (ed.): Piastowie. Leksykon biograficzny, Kraków 1999, p. 325.