Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł (4 February 1515 – 28 May 1565), nicknamed the Black (, ), was a Polish-Lithuanian noble who held several administrative positions within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, including the Voivode of Vilnius, Grand Lithuanian Chancellor, and the Grand Hetman of Lithuania. He was also Reichsfürst (Prince) of the Holy Roman Empire.

Alternate renditions of his name include , , and . His first name is sometimes given in English as Nicholas.

Political influence

Mikołaj was able to gain much political influence thanks to the romance and then the marriage between his cousin Barbara Radziwiłł and the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund II Augustus. This made him one of the most powerful royal advisers. Mikołaj became Marshal of Lithuania, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania, as well as Palatine of Vilnius, gained immense wealth and became the most powerful magnate in the Commonwealth of that time. The growing influence of the Radziwiłł family was further bolstered when, during a diplomatic mission to Charles V and Ferdinand I, he and his cousin Mikołaj the Red received a hereditary title of Prince (Reichsfürst (SRI)).

Religious activities

He was known for his religious beliefs, as he was one of the most prominent converts and advocates of the Reformed churches faith in Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

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Tapestry dedicated to Mikolaj the Black Radziwill.jpg|Tapestry which depicts Emperor Charles V granting the title of prince to Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł in 1547

HJRK A 1412 Radziwill.jpg|Armor which belonged to Mikołaj the Black

Tournament helmet of Mikolaj the Black Radziwill.jpg|Tournament helmet which belonged to Mikołaj the Black

Helmet of Mikolaj the Black Radziwill.jpg|German-made Oriental-styled helmet which belonged to Mikołaj the Black

Mikalojus Radvila Juodasis. Arklio šarvai.Chanfron of Mikalojus Radvila the Black.jpg|Chanfron which belonged to Mikołaj the Black

The Radziwill Bible.jpg|The Radziwiłł Bible (1563), printed in his printing house in Lithuanian Brest

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Citations and references

Cited sources

  • Józef Jasnowski, Mikołaj Czarny Radziwiłł (1515-1565). Kanclerz i marszałek ziemski Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego, wojewoda wileński, Oświęcim 2014.