Margaret, Jadwiga, and Unions

Like in most countries in the world, the countries in the Baltic Sea region have been ruled by many kings throughout history. But a few women have also been in power and left their mark on how international politics developed in the region. In the 14th century, two queens in different parts of the Baltic Sea region had the power to carry out their similar visions about unifying different areas in the Baltic Sea region.

This is the story of Jadwiga of Poland who initiated the “composite monarchy” of Poland and Lithuania in 1386 and of Margaret I who unified Denmark, Norway and Sweden in 1397. The union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden lasted until 1523 and Jadwiga’s marriage to Jogaila (Christian name Władysław Jagiełło) from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania initiated the process of the creation and development of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth which lasted until its partitions in the late eighteenth century.