Biography of Henry Valois

Heinrich Valois Henry Valeziy, with the death of Sigismund II Augustus, fades along the male line of the Jagello dynasty, which for about two centuries of the rule in the ON and the Polish Kingdom begins and the era of kings elected by the Sejm begins. Since that time, the political life of the state has been periodically complicated by periods of the nonsense, which last years before the election of the new ruler, weaken the central power and are characterized by anarchy, the struggle of different political groups within the state, as well as European courtyards that sought to get the crown to their protege.

The French Prince Henry Valeziy was one of the serious applicants for the crown of the Commonwealth. Henry was hostile to the Reformation. In France, the struggle of the Huguenots was called the French followers of Calvinism and was one of the inspirers of their massacre in Paris, Henry sharply protested against the decree of the Warsaw Confederation G. This caused speeches against his candidate of the Protectants of the Commonwealth.

But the French ambassador was able to receive the support of most senators and gentry, who gathered for the election of a new king. Upon election, Henry signed a document known in history under the title of the "Heinrikhov Articles" - the provisions of a constitutional nature in the modern meaning of this word, which determined the foundations of the state structure of the Commonwealth, seriously limiting the royal prerogatives.

The preservation of the king’s free elections was confirmed, the Institute of Resident Senators and the Right of the Shlyakh was established to refuse to obey the monarch if he violates the existing order. Henry took on a number of other obligations: to maintain a religious world in the country, marry Anna Yaglonka, etc. The conditions for punishing the French government of participants in Bartholomew’s massacre were signed.

The Elector Sejm accepted the "Henrykhovs", although the first to swear by them was S. Batoriya, and subsequently, each of the subsequent rulers of the Commonwealth. Being a supporter of the strong royal power, Henry did not want to come to terms with its restrictions enclosed in the "Henry -haired articles"; Even before arriving in the Commonwealth, he tried to renounce all the pre -election promises.

Henry Valois had no popularity in the Commonwealth, where his desire for absolutism was concerned. The reasons for this were given by the fact that, using political conflicts in various parties, he did not bring an official oath to the execution of the “Henry Articles” during the coronation Sejm. They caused the reasons for the customs of the French court, which the new ruler adhered to.

In many voivods, the movement was worshiped for the deprivation of his throne. It was not possible, as the Henrikhov articles provided for, to create an advisory body from 16 senators and ambassadors under the king. His unwillingness to marry Anna caused dissatisfaction. The corrupted gulyak, frivolous, narcissistic, he was completely indifferent to the state problems of the country.

He did not know either Polish, no Belarusian, nor Latin languages. The new king of the rules for only 5 months, during this time making sure that it is much harder to lead the multinational and multi -confessional Commonwealth than France. To the news of the death of his brother - the French king Charles IX, he, dissatisfied with the order in the Commonwealth and did not find contact with the court camaril, on the night of the priest, the chase was organized.

He was caught up, but could not return. The only promise to return to the Commonwealth after streamlining of cases in France. This flight made a great impression in the crown and the ON. He did not return to the Commonwealth, although until the end of his life he used the title of King of Poland and Grand Duke Lithuanian. He was killed by the Dominican monk during the siege of Paris by the Huguenots.

Literature: 1. Kanatyva S. Brief history of Poland. Trachevsky A. Polish Bezkorolevy on the cessation of the Jagello dynasty: East. Grzybowski S. Henryk Walazy.