Historical calendar: February 23, 1766 – death of Stanisław Leszczyński

Historical calendar: the anniversary of the death of Stanisław Leszczyński, a unlucky politician who had 2 sides in his function as ruler of the Republic of Poland.

Today in our calendar we will look at the life and activities of this man.

Stanisław Leszczyński was born on 23 October 1677 in Lviv, he was the only boy of the voivodship of Poznań Rafał Leszczyński and Anna from Jabłonkowski. He was raised in Leszno, in a household known for his tolerant beliefs, in an atmosphere conducive to the innovels who had long found their refuge there.

Young Stanislaus, although he was a Catholic himself, was educated in the Protestant academic gymnasium in Leszno, knew Latin well, Italian, German and French languages, besides made a journey to Austria, Italy, France, Netherlands and Germany. In 1698 he married Catherine Opalińska, which gave him strong material support in his property – the dowry of his wife. Gradually he was promoted: in 1697 he became a crowning ceremony, and in 1699 – a Poznan voivode.

Initially, like his father, he was a supporter of August II Wettin. However, in 1703 he headed the Wielkopolska anti-Saxon opposition; he became 1 of August II's most active opponents and advocated the enthronment of 1 of the sons of Jan III Sobieski. A year later, as a typical of the Wielkopolska Confederacy, he began to deal with King Charles XII of Sweden – aiming to hand over the crown to Jakub Sobieski. Unexpectedly, the Swedish monarch made a proposal to put Leszczyński himself on the Polish throne.

On 12 July 1704 in the village of Wola close Warsaw, with a tiny number of senators and nobles, under the protection of Swedish troops, Stanisław Leszczyński was called king of Poland, and on October 4, the following year he was crowned in the Warsaw college of St John. The fresh monarch was entirely dependent on Charles XII and his army, which shortly led to the outbreak of civilian war between supporters of both kings.

Initially, the situation favoured Leszczyński. The Swedes invaded Saxony and August II, after the conclusion of the peace in Altranstädt (1706) renounced the Polish crown. Unfortunately, Leszczyński, active in the conflict between Charles XII, August II, and shortly besides Tsar Peter I, was incapable to take over the full country. That was erstwhile the proverb appeared: “One from Sasa, the another from Lasa”. erstwhile the Swedes suffered defeat at the conflict of Poltava on 8 July 1709, Leszczyński's days in Poland were numbered. His group was struck by Saxons, Russians and national supporters August II.

The king took refuge in Szczecin and then left for Sweden. In 1712, he renounced the Polish crown, which, however, did not meet with the designation of Charles XII; as a result, he settled in the Duchy of 2 Bridges in Rhineland 2 years later. After the death of the Swedish King (1718), he moved to Alsace. Then, in 1725, his daughter Mary married King Louis XV of France, and Stanislaw, as the father-in-law of the reigning monarch, settled in Chambord Castle.

In 1733 August II the Strong and Stanisław Leszczyński decided to scope for the Polish crown again. In disguise, the buyer went to the country and hid in the French embassy in Warsaw. Unlike the situation of years ago, erstwhile the nobility was mostly perceived as a puppet of the disliked king of Sweden, this time he met with a general applause and on September 12, 1733 during the election he was one more time called king.

This time, external opponents reacted immediately. There was armed intervention from Russia and the illegal election of August III. Leszczyński, without support in the regular army and hetmans, who took a waiting attitude, took refuge in Gdańsk.

The city was surrounded by Russians. It defended itself 4 months from luite until June 1734 to yet capitulate. Leszczyński did not get into captivity, but fled in peasant disguise to the King. There he initially hoped for the effectiveness of the opposition against August III, which was concentrated within the Dzikowski Confederation. Eventually, however, on January 27, 1736, he again abdicated and settled permanently in the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar.

The king of exile was initially accepted by fresh subjects in distrust and reserve. Eventually, however, he gained their sympathy (this opinion inactive prevails there today). He dealt with cultural and construction matters – especially in Nancy, and his manor in Luneville shortly became 1 of Europe's most crucial intellectual centers. It was besides a time of large writing activity of Leszczyński.

In 1749, the ex-king published his political treaty “The voice of free freedom insurrection”. He advocated, among others, the regulation of the veto liberalum, the reservation of the Polish throne for people of Polish nationality, the improvement of taxation matters, troops, as well as the taking care of peasants. It was a program that clearly referred to the enlightenment thought, in Polish realities almost revolutionary.

Stanisław Leszczyński died on 23 February 1766. His body rested in the church of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (Mother of the Divine Merciful) in Nancy, which he founded himself. During the French Revolution, his tomb was opened and desecrated, but the collected remains of Leszczyński managed to collect and transport to Poland.

Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.