Jagiellonians

The Jagiellonians were a royal dynasty that ruled in Central and Eastern Europe during the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The dynasty originated from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. The Jagiellonian dynasty was founded by Jogaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania, who married Jadwiga of Poland in 1386, uniting the two states. Jogaila was baptized and took the name Władysław II Jagiełło.

The Jagiellonian rule over Poland and Lithuania lasted for over two centuries, a period often considered a golden age for both nations. Under their rule, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth became one of the largest and most populous states in Europe. The dynasty's reign saw significant cultural and economic development, as well as military successes and expansion. Key rulers include Władysław II Jagiełło, Casimir IV Jagiellon, Władysław II of Bohemia and Hungary, and Sigismund I the Old.

The dynasty also held the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary for a significant period, further extending their influence. The union of crowns was not always stable, and succession issues were frequent. The male line of the Jagiellonian dynasty became extinct in 1572 with the death of Sigismund II Augustus, the last Jagiellonian king of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. This marked the end of their direct rule, although the legacy of their reign had a profound and lasting impact on the history of the region.