Ladislas

(Vladislas, Vladislaf, Uladislas) II, king of Poland (1386-1434), known also under the name of Jagiello or Jagello, deserves a place in our work on account of his introduction of Christianity into the Polish dominions. He was born in Lithuania in 1348, the son of Olgerd and grandson of Gedimin, great princes of Lithuania. He succeeded his father in 1386, and, by the noble influence of his pious Christian wife Hedvig, was influenced to embrace Christianity; a short time after all Lithuania became Christian, and when Poland came under his sway Christianity became the dominant religion there. He died in Grodek, near Lemberg, Galicia, May 31,1434. SEE LITHUANIA; SEE POLAND.