The Tree of Europe · Person

Sigismund II Augustus

The last Jagiellon King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. During his reign, the Union of Lublin in 1569 created the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

1520 – 1572KingJagiellon · ES
Portrait of Sigismund II Augustus
Contemporary portraitSigismundus AugustusWorkshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger · Sixteenth centuryCzartoryski Museum / Wikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1 August 1520 Documented

Death: 7 June 1572 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Jagiellon · ES

Territories: Poland (ES) · Lithuania (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Grand duke · Lithuania · Grand duchy Pending review1544–1548Co-rulerElected or crowned during the predecessor’s lifetime; authority was not exclusive.
Grand duke · Lithuania · Grand duchy Pending review1549–1572Effective rule
King · Poland · Reign Pending review1548–1572Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Sigismund II Augustus. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1548

  • LithuaniaGrand duke
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Lithuania · ESGrand duke · Co-ruler1544–1548 · Elected or crowned during the predecessor’s lifetime; authority was not exclusive.
  • PolandKing
    View titles and jurisdictions

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

9 recorded claims · 5 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (2/4 with a precise source)
Governments (0/3 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Grand duke · Lithuania · 1544–1548

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Grand duke · Lithuania · 1549–1572

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · Poland · 1548–1572

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Related stories

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Story · Spanish original

The Republic of Nobles

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