TOP Lithuanian Bestseller
The man could not have written like that. This is a unique female voice in the world of historical novels, emphasizing the complexities of women's experiences within the historical narrative.
– Literary critic Prof. Dr. Petras Bražėnas
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The book is captivating from beginning to end. The author masterfully portrays the complex personality of Catherine Jagiellon, creating a character worthy of both novel and film.
– Historian and public figure Luka Lesauskaitė
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This historical novel, based on real events, is written in an engaging and accessible style. The story of Catherine Jagiellon is a fascinating and little-known tale that promises to captivate readers.
– Literary expert Vitalija Maksvytė
Book Description
War Bride: From Unloved Daughter to Queen
A challengin path to the Swedish throne: Poland – Lithuania – Finland – Sweden
“War Bride” is a historical novel that intertwines the stories of Polish-Lithuanian Princess Catherine Jagiellon and Swedish Prince Johan Vasa. The novel explores their journey from a wartime marriage to Catherine’s eventual coronation as Queen of Sweden. Princess Catherine managed to join the destiny of 4 countries and transform herself from an unnecessary daughter into a powerful woman, from unloved – to desirable, from prisoner – to Swedish queen.
Love and war are two important bloodlines, tracing the extraordinary destinies of individuals and nations. It delves into the intricate political games of royal families, revealing secrets of the Polish, Lithuanian, Swedish, Finnish, and Russian courts during the 16th century.
POLAND. Famous Royal Family – Dark Secrets
Born into the illustrious Jagiellon dynasty, which ruled over Poland and Lithuania, Princess Catherine, the youngest daughter, spent nearly three decades living a life akin to Cinderella's. Ignored and unwanted, she silently witnessed the scandalous lives of her famous relatives, her mother Queen Bona Sforza and brother King Sigismund Augustus. Despite being one of Europe’s most sought-after royal brides, a series of unfortunate circumstances kept Princess Catherine Jagiellon alone and unmarried. When she turned 30, she had lost all hope for personal happiness.
LITHUANIA. Wartime Wedding and the Russian Tsar's Obsession
Catherine's move to Vilnius marked the beginning of two significant battles in her life. The first was a political struggle for power and land. At that time, the ruthless Tsar Ivan the Terrible of Moscow invaded Livonia (modern-day Estonia and Latvia), igniting a bloody war on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The second battle was for Catherine's heart. Ironically, the man who posed the greatest threat to her and her homeland, Tsar Ivan the Terrible, proposed marriage. At the same time, the handsome, eleven-year-younger Johan Vasa, armed with a bag of war funds to defend the region from Moscow, also sought her hand. His path to a wartime wedding with Catherine in Vilnius was fraught with obstacles.
FINLAND. The Most Famous Royal Couple Ever
Catherine and Johan's perilous journey through war-torn Livonia would make a gripping Hollywood film. The princess faced near-death experiences and firsthand witnessed the wrath of the vengeful Tsar Ivan the Terrible. In Finland, Catherine was welcomed as a princess, and her royal dowry was showcased at the Abo (Turku) Castle. However, nine months of happiness were short-lived. The Swedish Vasa dynasty's "wars of thrones" erupted, and artillery shells soon began raining down on her bedroom.
SWEDEN. From Prisoner – to Queen of Sweden
Catherine and Johan endured war, imprisonment, betrayal, and the machinations of two mad rulers: the Swedish king and the Russian tsar. Despite these trials, they emerged victorious, becoming King and Queen of Sweden. Their reign is known as the Vasa Renaissance, uniting the powerful Jagiellon and Vasa dynasties. Catherine was the Queen of Sweden for fourteen years.
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About the author
 | I wrote not for myself, but for her: the Polish-Lithuanian Princess Catherine Jagiellon, whose deer-like eyes gaze from a 500-year-old painting. I wanted to tell her story from a time when men ruled the world, and women were forced to remain silent. A time when Moscow attacked countries near the Baltic Sea, igniting one of the most brutal and long lasting wars in Europe. Catherine’s life story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit – she never gave up. Even today this story inspires, reminding us that only the courageous, like Catherine, can triumph over life's challenges. |
Ilona Skujaitė is a journalist and communications specialist with a passion for Lithuanian history. She has authored articles on military, aviation, and business topics, co-hosted LRT and TV6 television shows, and written screenplays for documentaries about the Lithuanian army.
Photo by Mantas Golubev.
Journey route on both sides of the Baltic Sea ’In The Footsteps of Catherine Jagiellon’
The stormy life of the youngest daughter of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund the Old and his wife Bona Sforza is like a broken necklace of pearls, scattered across four countries:
* Poland
* Lithuania
* Finland
* Sweden
Embark on a 500-year-old journey and discover a world of ancient castles, majestic cathedrals, and opulent royal mansions.
Admire Renaissance sculptures of breathtaking beauty and glimpse the luxurious jewelry and crowns that once adorned Catherine Jagiellon.
Immerse yourself in the grandeur and intrigue of royal life!
This thematic route was created by Gerda Butkuvienė, a tourism communication specialist, and Ilona Skujaitė, author of the historical novel "War Bride" (Alma Littera),
in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Kingdom of Sweden.
The author of the visualization is Aistė Lapinskaitė.
For more information, please click here.
Recent discoveries of royal insignia in the Vilnius Cathedral's dungeons have brought renewed attention to Barbara Radziwiłł, Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania, a figure highly regarded in Lithuania but overlooked in Poland.
On October 18, 2024, the Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius Literary Prize was awarded to Ilona Skujaitė for her novel "War Bride".
The nearly 700-year-old Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden keeps many secrets of Swedish kings, including one related to Lithuania.
The author of "War Bride" talked to Inger Buxton, the Swedish ambassador to Lithuania in 2023, about Catherine Jagiellon's image as the Swedish queen in her country.
Archaeologist Nina Manninen from the University of Turku in Finland restored Catherine Jagiellon's dress and told how Finns remember this extraordinary royal woman.
Prof. Dr. Petras Bražėnas calls this a unique female voice in Lithuanian historical fiction, shedding light on women's complex experiences within historical events.
The creators of the documentary film "Transformation. Queen Catherine Jagiellon" continue their journey. In the autumn, filming took place in Sweden and Finland.
The fate of the Polish-Lithuanian princess who became Duchess of Finland and Queen of Sweden, connects four countries. The documentary film "Transformation: Queen Catherine Jagiellon" will tell the whole story of her life.