Jadwiga was the daughter of King Louis of Hungary. She was crowned Queen of Poland in 1384. Since the nobles desired a dynastic union with Lithuania aimed at strengthening both countries against encroachments in the North by Teutonic Knights and other foreign enemies, Jadwiga consented to relinquish the man she loved for a politically expedient marriage to a barbarian Ladislaus Jagiello. Ultimately, Jadwiga consented with the condition that Jagiello and all his people be converted and baptized. Jadwiga is the model of a monarch serving even at the expense of self. She also greatly endowed and nurtured the development of the Cracow Academy.

Reigned 1384-1399