Elizabeth of Bosnia

Who was Elizabeth of Bosnia?

Elizabeth of Bosnia was queen consort and later regent of Hungary, as well as queen consort of Poland. Daughter of Ban Stephen II of Bosnia, Elizabeth married King Louis I of Hungary in 1353. In 1370, she gave birth to a long-anticipated heir, Catherine, and became Queen of Poland when Louis succeeded his uncle, Casimir III. The royal couple had two more daughters, Mary and Hedwig, but Catherine died in 1378. Initially a powerless consort with no substantial influence, Elizabeth then started surrounding herself with noblemen loyal to her, led by her favourite, Nicholas I Garay. When Louis died in 1382, Mary ascended to the throne of Hungary with Elizabeth as regent. Unable to preserve the personal union of Hungary and Poland, the queen dowager secured the Polish throne for her youngest daughter, Hedwig.

During her regency in Hungary, Elizabeth faced several rebellions led by John Horvat and John of Palisna, who attempted to take advantage of Mary's insecure reign. In 1385, they invited King Charles III of Naples to depose Mary and assume the crown. Elizabeth responded by having Charles murdered two months after his coronation, in 1386.