Woman in history-Marie Casimire Louise de La Grange d'Arquien(1641-1716)
Today I present woman which is not as well known as Barbara Radziwiłł, but in my opinion she is one of the most interesting persons in Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth history. This woman is Marie Casimire Louise de La Grange d'Arquien (in Lithuanian Maria Kazimiera d'Arquien).
She was born in 28 June 1641. Her parents were Henri Albert de La Grange d'Arquien and Françoise de La Châtre. She came in Poland when she was She came to Poland at the age of five years as a lady in waiting to Marie Louise Gonzaga, the French-born Queen of Poland from 1645 to 1672, wife and consort to two Polish kings0Władysław IV Vasa and later his brother John II Casimir Vasa.(Marie Louise Gonzaga picture bellow).
Marie Casimire met her second husband John III Sobieski in 1656, but she first married with Jan Zamoyski. They were married until his death in 1665. With Jan Marie Casimire had four children-all died in infancy. After her husband’s death, she became a rich widow.
In the same year-14 July 1665-Marie Casimire married with future king of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania-John III Sobieski. They had thirteen children together but only four survived.
In 1674 her husband was elected was elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. it is believed that this did not happen without its influence. Be that as it may, she became herself Queen consort of Poland and Grand Duchess consort of Lithuania and was during her husband John III Sobieski's rulement 19 May 1674-17 June 1696.
Marie Casimire and John became famous for their love letter which were written during 1665-1683. But despite the love between her and John, she was hard, arrogant, self-centered woman who disagreed with her son James Louis Sobieski. Her son ran in the election of the ruler of the Republic of the Two Nations after the death of her father. But Marie Casimire was the biggest opponent of his son's candidacy for the throne and campaigned for Prince Henry of France at the beginning of the election sejm.
In picture bellow-Marie Casimire and John III Sobieski with their children.
