Published: 2026-10-26

The Matrimonial Peripeties of Jan Mikołaj Chodkiewicz (1738–1781)

Dorota Żołądź-Strzelczyk Profil ORCID autora Dorota Żołądź-Strzelczyk
Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings
Section: Rozprawy i Artykuły
DOI https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2026.33.1.11

Abstract

Jan Mikołaj Chodkiewicz, the son of Adam Tadeusz Chodkiewicz and Rozalia née Czapska, completed his education in Vilnius and, after returning from a journey abroad, began searching for a suitable wife at his mother’s urging. This article examines the efforts of the young magnate to find a marriage partner. The matter was of particular importance because Jan Mikołaj was the last male representative of his family line. In this undertaking he was assisted by Prince Michał Czartoryski, who suggested either the daughters of Józef Aleksander Jabłonowski or the daughters of Wacław Rzewuski as potential candidates. Chodkiewicz favoured the Jabłonowski sisters, but their father was not well disposed towards him. Another prospective bride who attracted his interest was Krystyna Sanguszko; however, as in the previous cases, his matrimonial plans came to nothing. Eventually, the candidacy of Ludwika Maria Rzewuska re-emerged, and in January 1766 she became Jan Mikołaj’s wife. Their marriage lasted fifteen years, until Chodkiewicz’s death in 1781.

Keywords:

Chodkiewicz family, eighteenth century, marriage, private correspondence

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Citation rules

Żołądź-Strzelczyk, D. (2026). The Matrimonial Peripeties of Jan Mikołaj Chodkiewicz (1738–1781). Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings, 33(1), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2026.33.1.11

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