Scientific Conference "Polish Princesses on the European Matrimonial Market" ✨ October 24, 2025 📍 Concert Hall of the Royal Castle in Warsaw Free admission The Royal Castle in Warsaw, together with the Institute of History of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and the Institute of History of the University of Silesia in Katowice, invites you to a scientific conference dedicated to the marriages of Polish princesses and their role in European politics. In 2025, it will be 300 years since the wedding of Maria Leszczyńska and Louis XV—a story straight out of a Cinderella fairy tale, when the daughter of an exiled Polish king became the Queen of France. This anniversary prompts reflection on the fate of Polish princesses in Europe: were they dream matches, or did their marriages require political maneuvering and family efforts? What role did dowries, dynastic arrangements, or beauty play? The conference "Polish Princesses on the European Matrimonial Market" will address these questions. _______________________ PROGRAM - 9:30 – Opening of the conference - 9:45–10:50 – Panel I Dr. Anna Kalinowska (Polish Academy of Sciences, Museum of Polish History) Not always like a fairy tale. The European royal "matrimonial market" and its functioning, 16th–18th centuries. Paweł Tyszka (Royal Castle in Warsaw – Museum) "Object of desire" or "second-class commodity"? Marriages of Polish princesses compared to unions at selected European courts - 10:50–11:10 – Coffee break - 11:10–13:10 – Panel II Dr. habil. Agnieszka Januszek-Sieradzka, Prof. KUL (John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin) The princess (finally) gets married. Marriages of the younger daughters of Sigismund the Old in royal court politics Dr. Agnieszka Pawłowska-Kubik The princess in the game for the crown. Anna Jagiellonka and the political-legal dimension of marriage during the succession crisis of 1572 Dr. Tomasz Pełech (Royal Castle in Warsaw – Museum) Silesian Piast princesses on the "matrimonial market" in the 16th–17th centuries. A quantitative analysis Dr. Marta Piber-Zbieranowska (Polish Academy of Sciences) Was a Mazovian Piast princess a good match at the dawn of the 16th century? Marriage plans for Zofia and Anna, daughters of Konrad III the Red, and their realization - 13:10–14:10 – Break - 14:10–15:45 – Panel III Prof. Dr. habil. Wojciech Krawczuk (Jagiellonian University) Anna Vasa and the history of efforts to arrange her marriage Dr. Aleksandra Barwicka-Makula (University of Silesia in Katowice) The marriage project of Princess Anna Katarzyna Konstancja with Archduke Ferdinand Karl (1637–1641) Prof. Dr. habil. Aleksandra Skrzypietz (University of Silesia in Katowice) The marriage of Teresa Kunegunda—the last success of the Sobieski family - 15:45–16:00 – Coffee break - 16:00–18:00 – Panel IV Dr. habil. Katarzyna Kuras, Prof. UJ (Jagiellonian University) Maria Leszczyńska on the European matrimonial market—between family ambitions and high politics Dr. Agnieszka Skrodzka (Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University) Daughter of a king without land. Princess Maria Leszczyńska as the chosen one of Louis XV in art and contemporary opinions Dr. Jacek Kordel (University of Warsaw) Family alliances and international ambitions. The marital diplomacy of Augustus III Prof. Dr. habil. Dariusz Nawrot (University of Silesia in Katowice) Maria Augusta Wettin—the last Polish infanta ___________________ Organizers: - Royal Castle in Warsaw – Museum - Institute of History of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin - Institute of History of the University of Silesia in Katowice
