A marriage opens a new union

The agreement of Krewo in 1385 prepares Jadwiga’s marriage to Jogaila. The Lithuanian grand duke undertakes to accept baptism and promote the Christianisation of his lands. In 1386, he takes the name Władysław, marries Jadwiga and is crowned king of Poland. The proposed marriage to William is abandoned. Jadwiga remains a sovereign in her own right. The couple must work with the Polish magnates and navigate complex relations among the Lithuanian princes. Their marriage begins a dynastic union of enormous significance. The crowns and territories will have a long history of agreements and conflicts before the Union of Lublin in 1569 establishes a more closely shared political structure.