Janusz III of Masovia

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Janusz III of Masovia (pl: Janusz III mazowiecki; ca. 27 September 1502 – 9/10 March 1526), was a Polish prince member of the House of Piast in the

during 1503-1524 (under regency until 1518) jointly with his brother, and sole ruler during 1524-1526 as the last male member of the Masovian Piasts.

He was the second son of

.

Life

After the death of their father on 28 October 1503, Janusz III and his younger brother Stanisław inherited his domains, but because they are minors, remained under the regency of their mother.

Most of the Masovian inheritance (except Czersk, who was already given to Konrad III as hereditary fief in 1495) was seriously threatened by the Kingdom of Poland at the time of Konrad III's death, and wasn't secured in his sons' hands until 14 March 1504, when by a ruling of King Alexander (who feared the protest of the local nobility) the young princes received their whole patrimony as a fief.

Janusz III and his brother took the government in 1518, due to the constant riots of the local nobility. Despite this, Anna Radziwiłł retained the real power in Masovia until her death in 1522. In the same year when they attained their majority, both princes attended the wedding ceremony of King Sigismund I the Old with Bona Sforza in Kraków.

As Polish vassals, during 1519-1520 Janusz III and his brother participated in the

sending auxiliary troops to the Polish King.

Despite being the co-ruler of their domains, Janusz III didn't participate in the government until Stanisław's death on 8 August 1524, when he finally began his sole government. In 1525, Janusz III forbade the Lutheranism in his domains, under penalty of confiscation of property and death.^[1]

Like his brother, Janusz III quickly became known for his love of drink and women. His dissolute lifestyle probably contributed to his early death, which took place during the night of 9 to 10 March 1526. He was buried at

became extinct.

The death of both brothers caused unrest, and accusations that they were murdered became widespread. Eventually, King Sigismund I himself looked into the matter, and concluded that there was no foul play.

According to

.

Soon after Janusz III's death the

, would retain some autonomy until 1576.

He is one of the characters on the famous painting by Jan Matejko, Prussian Homage.

Based on found remains, Janusz III belonged to the haplogroup

Notes

References

• (in Polish) Samuel Orgelbrand, Encyklopedja Powszechna, S. Orgelbranda Synów, p. 54 (public domain via Google Print)
• (in Polish) Józef Szujski, Historyi polskiéj treściwie opowiedzianéj ksiąg dwanaście, 1880, p. 167, (public domain via Google Print)