So Young a Queen: Jadwiga of Poland

Written by Lois Mills

            Hungarian Princess Jadwiga (Yahd-VEE-gah) has been prepared from birth to put the peace and prosperity of nations above her own desires. Betrothed in 1378 at the age of five to Prince William of Austria, their education has included spending time in each other’s court for careful training as future rulers. When the balance of power in Central Europe unexpectedly shifts, the Council from faraway Poland demands that Jadwiga become their monarch. The eleven-year-old girl is soon traveling north to Krakow where she is crowned queen in Wawel Cathedral, swearing “to keep and maintain the rights and liberties granted by the righteous Christian kings of Poland.” And she means to do it. However, when Poland’s Council insists upon her marrying the fierce pagan Prince Jagiello of Lithuania instead of William, Jadwiga passionately resists. The intense struggle in which this young queen lays down her personal hopes and gives her entire life to the fulfillment of a peaceful union between Poland and Lithuania—long referred to as “The wedding ring of Jadwiga”—will have far-reaching consequences in her own time and in the years to come. Jadwiga, “White Dove of Poland,” was canonized a saint in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.

First of three books in the Portraits in Faith and Freedom series, Set 2: Polish Advocates of Hope and Nationhood.

Includes:

• Map
  
• Preface
• Pronunciation guide
• Afterword
• About the author
• Historical insights essay by Daria Sockey
  
• Timeline (not included in e-Book file)
• Publisher resources:
  • Statement on Portraits in Faith and Freedom
    
  • Downloadable PDF's of colored map and timeline, and historical insights essay

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Book Details:

• Time period: 1374-1399
• Location: Poland
• Content suitability (age): 10-up
• Read-aloud interest: 9-up
• Readability Level (grade): RL7.0
• Page count: 152
• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.44 inches
  • Weight: 0.45 lbs.
  • SKU: 172-P (for print), 172-E (for e-Book)
  • Print ISBN: 978-1-932350-73-9
  • E-Book ISBN: 978-1-932350-55-5