Das Leben am Hof König Sigismunds III. von Polen

Sigismundus grew up at the court of Sweden and was designated by his father, John III, to be his successor to the throne. At the age of 21 Sigismundus was elected King of Poland. He was the right man for this position: his mother was of Polish origin and he spoke Polish fluently. After the death of his father he was, for a few years, both King of Sweden and Poland. At the turn of the century he lost Sweden, but remained King of Poland up to his death in the spring of 1632. On the strength of the few extant sources, the king’s cultural activities are described in this book. The private life of the king and his family in the 1590s is well documented from the 1590s. So far, however, historians have shown little interest in the king’s private life, but appreciated his activities as a Maecenas of architecture, painting and music. His contribution to the development of music in Poland is of great importance. In general the Polish nobles were not satisfied with the conduct of Sigismundus, disapproving in particular of his reliance on the advice of women.