Mikołaj Krzysztof "the Orphan" Radziwiłł

Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwill (gen. Sierotka the orphan; lit Mikalojus Kristupas Radvilos, dt Nicholas Christopher Radziwill, . Born August 2, 1549 Ćmielów, † February 28, 1616 in Nesvizh ) was a high ranking officials in Poland - Lithuania. As a convert to Catholicism, he undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and published a report thereon. He was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation in Poland - Lithuania.

Life

He was a son of Mikolaj Radziwill Czarny and Elżbieta Szydłowiecka. He married Elżbieta Wiśniowiecka Eufemia, daughter of the Duke Andrzej Wiśniowiecki.

After an education at home, he studied since 1563 in Strasbourg and Tübingen. He attended to 1567 various stately homes and yards. He should also have been present at the Diet of Augsburg, and there have been waiting for Maximilian II. In Rome he was well received in 1566 by Pope Pius V.. He stepped over to Catholicism. This was followed by his brothers.

He was marshal of Lithuania in 1569. In 1575 he became seriously ill and vowed a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After an improvement in his health situation he participated in the war against the Russians. He was wounded at the siege of Polotsk and was later at the siege of Pleskow it. Between 1579 and 1586 he was Grand Marshal of Lithuania.

In 1582 he went to the acclaimed pilgrimage. From Venice he traveled by ship through Dalmatia, Crete and Cyprus to the Lebanese coast. He visited Damascus, the Sea of ​​Galilee and Jerusalem. The monastery of St. Saviour in Jerusalem, he donated a Erbvermächtnis. He then traveled to Egypt visited Cairo, the Pyramids and Alexandria. On the way back he was attacked by robbers and returned back to Poland in 1584. Perhaps in this context, he was accepted by the Pope in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and received the title of Procurator of the Holy Land.

He was from 1586 to 1590 Castellan of Traken. In 1587 he was present at the election of King Sigismund. This made ​​him the first Voivode of Traken (1590-1604) and later Vilna (since 1604). Unlike its cousin Janusz, who was involved in an altercation with the king, he remained loyal.

About his experiences on his pilgrimage, he wrote a report that later - appeared in print - translated into Latin. This has often been printed. Radziwill was also evident to the cartographic representation of Lithuania deserves. He is also emerged as principal for buildings. His palace in Nesvizh he who converted in the Renaissance style by Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni.

The Counter-Reformation, he ran with emphasis on his possessions and his office areas since 1574. Numerous churches were deprived of the Protestants and the Catholics is. He also donated several new churches. After he became voivode in Vilna, he left the Protestant church of the palace close. The printing of the Reformed were also closed. He even gather up and burn, edited by his father Calvinist Bible. In Nesvizh he founded a Jesuit college. The church itself became the burial place of the family. Other religious communities he supported.