„Sigismund Augustus II“ 

It is really hard to unambiguously evaluate the personality of the last of the Jagiellons, so interesting and taken together, so tragic. Crowned at early age, he inherited the land that was experiencing great social, political and ideological changes and he was not ready to solve such great problems. Spoiled by success, women and gaieties, it was only after his father’s death that he had to begin to gather the experience for a ruler.

From Sforza’s and the Aragonians, he inherited the temperament and interest in art, from his grandfather Casimir IV Jogiellon – persistence, yet he was consistently wonder struck as he sought to implement a chosen project or a plan to solve some question. Noblemen talked that King Augustus was struck with awe or even feared those with whom he communicated.

Although considered apathetic, lazy and slow, he allotted much time to the affairs of state. As one can see from the remaining acts of the time, under his rule, the royal office and officers of towns worked with special precision. The king especially looked after the strengthening of the country’s defence and spent much money on weaponry and artillery, although in part, he treated it as his personal collection.

However, his wise and progressive politics prevented religious war and avoided possible losses.

His drama lies in the circumstance that he treated time as his realm, but this backfired on him. Sigismund Augustus didn’t believe that he would die so soon; he thought he would live to the ripe old age of his father. Thus, to evaluate Sigismund Augustus II’s political victories and talent is as difficult as evaluating the merits of a master who died halfway through his masterpiece.

The man, who embodied signs of majesty, passions and contradictions, characteristic of the Renaissance and even strengthened by the perception that he is the last representative of his dynasty, left this world too early. Only his successor, Stefan Batory, could use the fruits of his effort and work, and only later would generations finally appreciate what his contemporaries didn’t want to acknowledge.